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Sense and Sensibility (Swale)

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  4w, 5m

Jessica Swale

Jane Austen's
Sense and Sensibility
adapted by Jessica Swale

When their wealthy half-brother cheats them of their fortune, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood are left penniless. They are forced to leave the comforts of Norland Park and relocate to chilly Barton Cottage in Devonshire, but when John Willoughby, a handsome stranger, arrives one day with a rain-drenched Marianne in his arms, the sisters are convinced that their fortunes are changed forever.

Sense and Sensibility (Swale)

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 5m
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptation (Literature)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences

Details

Summary

Eminently sensible Elinor pines for quiet, kind-hearted Edward Ferrars, but the impulsive Marianne loses herself in the idea of her hero on horseback, and for a girl who feasts on poetry and music, what else is there to do in Devon but dream of rescue? 

In Jessica Swale’s delightful adaptation of Austen’s dearly-loved classic, we follow the fortunes of Elinor and Marianne as they chase their dreams from Devonshire to London and back.

History

The play was first presented at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury, in April 2014.

Keywords

The play was originally performed by nine actors with the following doubling, but could as easily suit a larger company.

Elinor Dashwood

Marianne Dashwood

Margaret Dashwood/Lucy Steele

Fanny Dashwood/Mrs Jennings

Mrs Dashwood/Mrs Palmer/Miss Grey

Edward Ferrars/Robert Ferrars/Mr Palmer

Colonel Brandon

Willoughby

Sir John/Mr Dashwood/Thomas/Mr Perks/Doctor

Other servants, gossips and ball attendees can be played by members of the company.

The play was originally performed by 9 actors but could easily suit a larger company.

  • Time Period 19th Century
  • Setting The play is set at the beginning of the 1800s.
  • Features Period Costumes

Media

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

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Authors

Jessica Swale

Jessica Swale
Jessica Swale is a writer and director. She is Artistic Director of Red Handed Theatre Company and a returning playwright at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Plays include Nell Gwynn (winner of the Egerton Foundation New Play Award 2015), All's Will that Ends Will (Bremen Shak ...
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