Emma

Jane Austen is said to have stated about Emma; "I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like." True, Emma is meddling, blind to the actions and meanings of others, pampered, and occasionally unthinking and hurtful, but many more than Jane Austen like her, for she is also charming, pretty, witty and full of life. Add to that the dignified Mr Knightley, the hypochondriac Mr Woodhouse, the loquacious Miss Bates and the imperious Mrs Elton and you have a Regency romantic comedy full of lively characters, humour and romance. Emma is a story of manners, misunderstandings, match-making and marriage! This version of Emma, dramatised by Vanessa Jensen, has attempted to stay faithful to the novel and the words of Jane Austen. Emma has been registered as an official fundraising supporter for the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Melville Theatre will be donating $2 from every ticket sold to the NBCF, as well as the proceeds from the raffle and any donations collected. All performances begin at 8pm, except Sunday 13th, which is a 2pm matinee. Cast Mr Woodhouse.....Doug Hellens Emma.............Tess Perich Mr Knightley.....Matthew Lister Bess.............Penny Searle Mary.............Cally Zanik Harriet..........Kaitlin Shawcross Mr Elton.........Patrick Whitelaw Miss Bates.......Olivia Darby Mrs Bates........Valerie Riches Jane Fairfax.....Carmen Miles Mr Churchill.....Jason Dohle Mrs Elton........Sarah Cosstick