Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Dallas Theater Center: Sense and Sensibility

Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility as adapted by Kate Hamill for the Dallas Theater Center, proved to be an outstanding production. We first hear and see the town gossips - such a shame about the Dashwoods. Poor Mr. Dashwood died so suddenly and now his widow and her girls must move.

1790s in Devonshire, England is not so different today. Jane Austen, beloved author, wrote of timeless subjects. We see Elinor Dashwood, the eldest sister, try to maintain proper decorum while falling in love with Edward Ferrars.

Elinor has to rein in her sister Marianne, the impetuous soul who fights the social mores of the day. She falls for the dashing John Willoughby, while the stolid Colonel Brandon courts her. But Willoughby is a playboy and scoundrel. Edward is engaged to another. The Dashwood girls have no money to bring to the table. Oh, it's all so difficult. Thank goodness they did not have Facebook and other social media to exacerbate the muddle.

The Dallas Theater Center's simple staging and strong acting carried the day. This was a rich well done play, and Jane Austen ruled over it with her words.

It is not what we think or feel that makes us who we are. It is what we do. Or fail to do....
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

8 comments:

  1. Jane Austen seems to be timeless in just about every media. For instance the Fabric and Clothing Industry as well as Needleworks. There are patterns to knit and crochet Jane Austen shawls and on and on. Yes, I have several...as you probably guessed. Jane is making up for lost time...she is a hit on Facebook today. Really!!!
    Sue at CollectInTexas Gal

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    1. glad Jane is a hit. There's a Jane Austen group in Dallas. My friend and I plan to hit one of their social events. Should be quite amusing and proper

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  2. Could you imagine if some of those busy bodies back then had Facebook? That would've been a catastrophe!

    Sense and Sensibility is certainly a classic.

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    1. Jane would no doubt be appalled at some to today's antics.

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  3. Sounds like fun. I like that quote. Jane Austen was brilliant.
    Haha, Sherry's comment is brilliant too. I imagine they'd all designate "It's complicated" as their relationship status.

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  4. I haven't read this book yet, but I did enjoy the movie Pride and Prejudice. It's sounds like they have similar themes. Well chosen quote!

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  5. I haven't read this book yet, but I did enjoy the movie Pride and Prejudice. It's sounds like they have similar themes. Well chosen quote!

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  6. Oh, I bet this was wonderful!

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