The Watsons

Hayman Theatre’s The Watsons, a theatrical interpretation of Jane Austen’s unfinished novel, came as part of an accidental Jane Austen festival, with Plied and Prejudice playing Downstairs at the Maj, and Stirling Players Killing Katie, having Jane Austen as a theme. All three shows are offbeat and irreverent, with The Watsons a great blend of the contemporary and traditional.

Starting as a traditional staging of an Austen novel, Stephen Carr gives us an elegant set design that suggests Regency England, while Kiri Siva has designed gorgeous of the era costumes. When the author appears and tries to guide the story from within the plot takes a sudden and unusual turn as the characters realize that they are “not real” and rebel.

Central character Emma Watson is played with grace and strength by Sarah Patroni, looking every inch the Austen heroine, but revealing a lovely independence. Chloe Hill is lovely as gentle sister Elizabeth while Lauren Westphal-Graves had fun as wilder sister Margaret. 

Rhys Healy was elegant yet manly as brother Robert, while Isla Simon was larger-than-life as his wife Mary. Kailem Mollard completed the Watson Family nicely as elderly and ailing patriarch Mr. Watson.

Male suitors were in abundance with Simon Edge, beautifully pompous as handsome and rakish Tom Musgrave, Conor Flint sweet as shy and awkward Lord Henry, Sky Kay showing maturity as Mr. Howard and Sam Nichols charming as unlikely candidate Officer Bertie.

Lucy Coates was fabulous as author Laura, tall and relaxed, and convincing as the outsider.

It’s impossible to list everyone in this large cast, but Oliver Laurent stood out as pre-teenaged Charles, capturing his youth and enthusiasm with expertise.

At times I felt the pace could have been faster, and I thought some of the blend of old and new in Act 2 didn’t quite work, but this is a beautiful script that was attacked with enthusiasm by a young and energetic cast.

A treat for Jane Austen fans and a pleasure to watch.

Kimberley Shaw