Persuasion

“Contains loud music, flashing lights and infrequent use of explicit language,” warns the new adaption of Jane Austen’s Persuasion coming to Oxford Playhouse from tonight. And the rave reviews have been coming in thick and fast.

Yes James Yeatman and Jeff James‘ bold and brilliant adaptation has been riotously reinvented for the 21st century by introducing an explosive foam party, a soundtrack of Frank OceanDua Lipa and Cardi B, plus singing and dancing, to enhance the epic romantic comedy.

Matilda Bailes _ Adam Deary in Persuasion _ photo by The Other Richard_

So have the purists been upset or are they embracing this newly told tale, so beloved by Jane Austen fans?

“Even the die hard Jane Austen fans are enjoying it. They have thanked us for bringing Persuasion back”

Matilda Bailes who plays Elizabeth and Louise thinks so. “Even die hard Jane Austen fans are enjoying it. They have thanked us for bringing Persuasion back. But more than that, it’s introducing lots of young people to it and giving them a newfound passion for Austen, so it’s really exciting to be part of that revival,” she said.

Adam Deary and Matilda Bailes in Persuasion. photo by The Other Richard

“So while it may not be your typical Austen, more a reimagining with a twist, it’s really exciting. You have to come to it with a fresh mind because we take you on a bit of a rollercoaster. It’s a whirlwind production but just more relevant and modernised.

“You have to come to it with a fresh mind because we take you on a bit of a rollercoaster. It’s a whirlwind production”

“We hope that if Austen was alive today this is the show she would write because it has such high energy and a fast pace. It is so vibrant so it’s been really e exciting to be involved right from the offset.

Sasha Frost and Matilda Bailes in Persuasion. photo by The Other Richard

To set the scene, Persuasion features Captain Wentworth remeeting Anne Elliot eight years after proposing. Persuaded out of accepting his proposal by her family, Anne never quite gets over her first love. But now Wentworth is back. Rich, successful and single, he is now a serious catch.

But will he forgive Anne for rejecting him, and will Anne finally learn to trust her instincts?Find out from tonight. Full review to follow!

Persuasion‘s Oxford Playhouse co-production with Rose Theatre and Alexandra Palace comes to Oxford Playhouse from Wed 4 to Sat 14 May. Book here https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/persuasion