New Austen adaptation heads to the Playhouse
THE Liverpool Playhouse will celebrate 200 years of the work of one of Britain’s greatest authors by hosting the first ever stage production of Jane Austen’s Persuasion this October. Brought to the stage by Theatre6 and Catherine Schreiber, this new adaption of Austen’s final novel is part of a UK tour, featuring an original score by Maria Haïk Escudero.Directed by Kate Mcgregor with costumes inspired by the period, the production sees the theatre company behind the critically-acclaimed Gabriel, featuring Paul McGann, return to the Playhouse for the first time since 2017.Published in 1817 – six month after Austen’s death - Persuasion follows Anne Elliot, a young woman in love. Swept off her feet by the dashing but poor naval officer Captain Wentworth, she is devastated to reject his marriage proposal because of her selfish, society-obsessed family.Several years later, Wentworth returns from sea. Will a chance encounter lead Anne back to her true love, or to a life forever alone?Adapted for the stage by Stephanie Dale, the cast includes actors Ceri Lyn-Cissone, Wirral-born Matthew Atkins, Siobhán Gerrard, Indigo Griffiths, Jason Ryall and Lucinda Turner.Matthew Atkins said: “I am so excited to perform at the Liverpool Playhouse. I grew up on the Wirral, and while at school our drama group would go to watch shows almost every week at the Playhouse and the Everyman, it is genuinely where I first dreamt of becoming a performer.“I’ve been lucky to perform up and down the country as well as overseas but there is nothing quite like coming home with a show you a proud of.”Persuasion visits the Playhouse for five nights from October 9 to 13. Tickets are available from www.everymanplayhouse.com/whats-on or by calling 0151 709 4776.
