4 – 14 May
A riotously reinvented version of a Jane Austen classic, Oxford Playhouse Co-Production Persuasion comes to Oxford this May
Oxford Playhouse is delighted to welcome their co-production of Persuasion to the main stage from Wed 4 to Sat 14 May. Joining forces with Rose Theatre and Alexandra Palace, OP have produced this brand-new adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel, a bold and brilliant reimagining by Jeff James, with James Yeatman, featuring a foam party and a soundtrack of Frank Ocean, Dua Lipa and Cardi B!
When Captain Wentworth proposed to Anne Elliot eight years ago, he was penniless and had only love and ambition to offer. Persuaded out of accepting his proposal by her family, Anne’s never quite got over her first love.
But now Wentworth is back. Rich, successful and single, the handsome Captain has been transformed into a serious catch. When circumstances bring the two face to face again, Anne’s forced to confront the past. As old wounds reopen, will Wentworth forgive Anne for rejecting him, and will Anne finally learn to trust her desires?
Joint CEO and Director of Oxford Playhouse, Louise Chantal commented:
“Having been thrilled to see OP’s co-production of Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) storm the recent Olivier Awards this year to win Best Entertainment or Comedy Play, we can’t wait to present Persuasion, which promises yet more joyful Austen-irreverence! It’s a gloriously playful production with not a bonnet in sight!’’
Sasha Frost and Fred Fergus will star as Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth respectively.
Sasha Frost’s recent theatre credits include Folk (Hampstead Theatre), Red Dust Road (National Theatre of Scotland), Cherry Orchard and All My Sons (Nottingham Playhouse) and The Lightning Child (Shakespeare’s Globe). Her television credits include His Dark Materials. Fred Fergus’s recent theatre credits include Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (Rose Theatre, UK Tour, Harold Pinter Theatre), Lava (Nottingham Playhouse) and Julius Caesar (The Bridge Theatre). His film credits include Wonder Woman.
Sasha Frost and Fred Fergus are joined in the cast by Matilda Bailes as Elizabeth/Louisa, Grace Cookey-Gam as Lady Russell/Mrs Croft, Helen Cripps as Mary, Adam Deary as Edmund Hayter/ Captain Benwick/Mr Elliot, Emilio Doorgasingh as Sir Walter/Admiral Croft, Caroline Moroney as Mrs Clay/Henrietta and Dorian Simpson as Charles.
This captivating adaptation keeps all the quick wit and scandal of Austen’s novel but switches Regency ballrooms for neon lights to present the 19th-century romance as you’ve never seen it before!
Tickets for Persuasion at Oxford Playhouse start at £10 and are available from the Box Office on 01865 305 305, or can be booked online at www.oxfordplayhouse.com
Photo credit: The Other Richard
