Manners, misunderstandings, match-making and more in Austen classic

A timeless love story from one of the most widely-read writers of all time comes to Melville Theatre this May. Described as one of Jane Austen's most adored characters, Emma is a beautiful and clever young woman who prides herself on her matchmaking ability – but while she’s preoccupied with romance, she’s clueless to her own feelings of love. And when Emma takes on a young friend as her latest project, her well-intentioned efforts misfire, leading to a whirlwind of complications. Director Vanessa Jensen has adapted the script for stage herself, based on the original 1815 novel. “I am a Jane Austen fan, and have been for years,” she said. “I directed Pride and Prejudice at Melville Theatre and wanted to direct Emma next – but I struggled to find a version of Emma I liked. “They were all modernised and changed and the lyrical beauty of Austen’s words were often lost with the propriety and manners hidden. “I asked myself what I was looking for and the answer was ‘the novel on the stage’, so I set out to dramatise it. “Changes had to be made to accommodate theatrical conventions and to keep the show to a reasonable length but the tone, style and many of the words are straight from the pages of the novel.” For those not familiar with the story, Jensen calls it “a Regency romantic comedy full of lively characters, humour and romance”. “Emma is a story of manners, misunderstandings, match-making and marriage,” she said. “Jane Austen said ‘I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like’ so bringing Emma to life in a way that makes her liked while retaining the social commentary Austen is famous for was always going to be difficult.” Jensen believes her main challenge with Emma is finding the right balance. “Emma needs to be meddling, blind to the actions and meanings of others, pampered and occasionally unthinking and hurtful, for the story to work,” Jensen said. “But she must also be charming, pretty, witty and full of life because the audience always needs to love the leading lady when it’s a romantic comedy. “There is also the problem of competing with pre-conceived ideas of Emma and Mr Knightley, courtesy of Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam in the 1996 film version.” Emma plays at 8pm, May 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19 with a 2pm matinee May 13. Tickets are $18, $14 concession – book on 9330 4565 or email melville.theatre.company@gmail.com. Emma is also an officially registered fundraising supporter for the National Breast Cancer Foundation with Melville Theatre donating $2 from every ticket sold, as well as raffle proceeds and any donations collected. Melville Theatre is on the corner of Stock Road and Canning Highway, Palmyra. More information is available at www.meltheco.org.au.