SENSE AND SENSIBILITY: THE MUSICAL
Arcola Theatre
★★★★
“brimming with passion and sincerity”
How do you reconcile such differing temperaments as Jane Austen’s Elinor and Marianne? Ledwell Productions does exactly this in ‘Sense & Sensibility, The Musical’, blending opera with musical theatre in a fresh new take.
Based on Austen’s novel ‘Sense and Sensibility’, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood don’t have it easy. Their father dies; they lose their income; sensible Elinor’s blossoming romance with the bashful Edward Ferrars is cut short; the Dashwoods relocate to Devonshire to live near their cousins, the Middletons. Luckily the Middletons take pity and introduce them to the brooding Colonel Brandon, who sets his cap at Marianne. But Marianne’s a hopeless romantic and when the charismatic Mr Willoughby sweeps her off her feet (literally), passions ignite… until scandal and illness trigger an abrupt change of course.
Produced by Elora Ledger with book and lyrics by Jeffrey Haddow, music by Neal Hampton and musical direction by Guy Murgatroyd, ‘Sense & Sensibility, The Musical’ blends musical theatre and opera, doing both surprisingly well. The songs have a familiar structure and feel while the delivery is classical. It may seem an odd choice but it evokes the period perfectly while drawing modern audiences in. The deliciously complex score is another high point, mixing up keys, metres and tempos to convey the exact mood each moment requires.
It’s tightly written with a slimmed down plot driving the narrative and emotional development forward. The clever and sparing use of song to reveal hidden desires without diminishing decorum is particularly satisfying. The only slight stall occurs in Act 2 when Edward sings before the sisters’ moment of mutual realisation, the latter of which feels a little rushed. That said, the book is delightfully funny with some unexpectedly self-aware moments.
Alexandra Cowell’s direction shows off the cast’s range, each person playing multiple characters. That said, some of the choices are a little odd. Marianne endures her illness on the floor, the cast singing towards her rather than out. The ensemble numbers feel a little remote with stiff choreography, face obscuring masks and flat characterisations. Willoughby (meant to be 25) and Sir John (meant to be 40) are played by the same person. The multiple roles necessitate frequent quick changes, some of which are more successful than others. Although minor individually, collectively these points erode some of the realism.
The set (Dream of Eclectic Chic) successfully evokes various Regency drawing rooms though is a little sparse – Marianne could do with a couch for example. The costumes (Ledger) use beautiful fabrics and styles though the minimalist set draws the eye to things like sleeves falling down and less successful quick changes. The lighting design is a bit basic, steeping the room in purple at dramatic moments but otherwise missing several chances to heighten dramatic tension. The sound design makes successful use of effects, though microphones could avoid the dialogue being drowned out by music at points.
The cast is fantastic, with Rachael Liddell’s Elinor, Ledger’s Marianne, and the chemistry between them particular highlights. Liddell is a masterclass in acting through song, showing every facet of Elinor’s character with a stunning mezzo soprano voice. Marianne’s effervescent naivety is at such odds with Lucy Steele’s withering condescension you almost forget Ledger plays both. Ledger also keeps Marianne endearingly relatable despite her emotional outbursts and even shows off some effortless soprano coloratura. Cowell contrasts her exuberant Mrs Jennings/Dashwood with taciturn Fanny/Miss Grey and a beautiful high soprano voice. The skilful musicians (Daryl Giuliano, Felicity Broome-Skelton, and Murgatroyd) are a delight, filling the room with rich sound.
If you like musical theatre but are less sure about opera, ‘Sense & Sensibility, The Musical’ brings out the best of both in this masterful union. Much like our heroines, it is brimming with passion and sincerity even if it could use a little refinement in places. Don’t miss your chance to see it, lest like Willoughby you regret what might have been.
SENSE AND SENSIBILITY: THE MUSICAL
Arcola Theatre
Reviewed on 19th August 2025
by Hannah Bothelton
Recent reviews from this venue:
JANE EYRE | ★★★★★ | August 2025
CLIVE | ★★★ | August 2025
THE RECKONING | ★★★★ | June 2025
IN OTHER WORDS | ★★★★ | May 2025
HEISENBERG | ★★★ | April 2025
CRY-BABY, THE MUSICAL | ★★★★★ | March 2025
THE DOUBLE ACT | ★★★★★ | January 2025
TARANTULA | ★★★★ | January 2025
