Comments on: My Review of the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds’ production of Mansfield Park, adapted by Tim Luscombe

By: jfwakefield

jfwakefield — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 09:58:22 +0000

LOL!

By: jfwakefield

jfwakefield — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 08:25:01 +0000

Ah,I am sorry you could not attend,as it was such a very interesting evening, and so well done(as ever). Actually the actress who first portrayed "Amelia" in Lover's Vows at Covent Garden, where it was first performed, was Nannette Johnston(Mrs Henry Erskine Johnson née Parker.) Her husband played Anhalt, which is an interesting casting note in itself!

By: Hazel Mills

Hazel Mills — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 22:29:46 +0000

Sadly not. I only learned of the production at Bury too late for the Lover’s Vows. I would love to have seen it as I have an 1808 copy of the play and an original coloured print of Mrs Mardyn who played Amelia (I think at Covent Garden) and was reputed to be the woman who caused the break up of Lord Byron’s marriage. (She was thought to be innocent but the damage was done.) I imagine it was very good. My husband and I still keep saying ” and that bit when…” about the production.

By: imogen88

imogen88 — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:49:44 +0000

YES!!

By: jfwakefield

jfwakefield — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 13:53:36 +0000

It was a very big treat, Moni.I’m so glad you enjoyed my description, I do wish you had the opportunity to see it!

By: jfwakefield

jfwakefield — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 13:51:10 +0000

Deal!

I keep changing my mind about the characters in this novel.But I agree, Jen, I think Edmund and Fannny are some of Jane Austen’s most moral characters. This adaptation certainly highlighted this aspect, while still portraying their faults.

By: jfwakefield

jfwakefield — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 13:49:50 +0000

Thanks Lucy. It was an excellent version of the novel,which I should think is highly problematical to adapt for the stage if the screen adaptations are anything by which to judge!

By: jfwakefield

jfwakefield — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 13:48:49 +0000

Thank you, Hazel.We are both very lucky indeed to see this production in such an appropriate setting. I agree, sometimes the humour of MP gets lost in adaptations: this one seemed to cover “most of the bases”. Did you go to see Lover’s Vows?

By: Jane Austen and Lover’s Vows « Austenonly

Jane Austen and Lover’s Vows « Austenonly — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 13:46:04 +0000

[...] of the same cast which is currently appearing in the touring production of Mansfield Park, which I reviewed, here. As a result we saw Edmund play Anhalt, Mary Crawford play Amelia, Maria Bertram play Agatha, Fanny [...]

By: Hazel Mills

Hazel Mills — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 23:55:53 +0000

I too had the privilege of seeing this performance. I have always loved the intimacy of this theatre and this production was truly exceptional. I’ve read MP several times but this condensed version reminded me how amusing Jane Austen was in Mansfield Park. Worth seeing if it comes near you. thanks for the wonderful review, you capture it immaculately.