★★★☆☆ Marketed as a retelling for the Brat-Bridgerton generation, this Christmas season sees The Abbey Theatre stage a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s novel Emma. With over 200 years having elapsed since Austen’s novel was published, director Claire O’Reilly presents writer Kate Hamilton’s modern stage adaptation of the novel. This is not a Regency era presentation of the tale but rather an adaptation that takes the rough trajectories of the characters and offers a fun rendition of their fates in a parallel unspecified realm.
The question remains as to whether the production manages to maintain the essence of Austen’s genius, despite its seeming inability to trust the audience to discern the wit and wisdom of the tale. Toni O’Rourke, a regular of the screen, is mesmerising on the stage in her depiction of Emma. Her portrayal is as vibrant as the character of the page and captures the multidimensionality of a young woman who does not quite know herself, but thinks that she does.
An oft-repeated phrase in the production comes when Mr Knightly, played by Patrick Martins, schools, “You can’t control everything, Emma,” and she cheekily replies, “but isn’t it fun to watch me try?” O’Rourke and the rest of the team certainly make it fun. The set, designed by Molly O’Cathain, is beautiful, combining regal blue with bursting hot pinks to match the mismatched energy of the production itself. The costumes, by Catherine Fay, similarly straddle the .