Last night I attended the press night for Little Women at York Theater Royal. I took a young family friend who loves theater and is currently doing his GCSEs, but importantly didn't know the story of Little Women. I was a little unsure how she would get along and if she felt it was a fast enough pace. Suffice it to say, I've added a new Little Women fan to the legion of people who have fallen in love with the story over the years.
The first half of the evening introduces Joe, Meg, Amy, and Beth on Christmas Eve during the Civil War. They are sad because they have no money for gifts and their father is away due to a conflict. As the story progresses, we follow the girls as they overcome trials and tribulations and grow. It was warm, funny, cozy and brought joy to a rainy autumn evening in York.
The second half, which I won't spoil just in case, was a little more emotional. There was a particularly touching scene, so well acted that I had a fair amount of questionable sniffs afterwards. The first half was from people who didn't seem to catch a cold. And yes, I was in it too. This is a warning to grab a tissue.
My favorite actor, Jack Ashton (most notable for me as the Reverend Tom Hereward in Call the Midwife, among many other roles), played John I played the characters of both Brooke and Professor Bear. During the break, I mentioned to a young guest I had brought along that he felt a little underused, but he really came into his own as Professor Bear. Indeed, she was sure that the actor was German.
Little Women runs at York Theater Royal until October 12th.
Official bits:
Jack Ashton, one of the stars of the hit BBC TV series Call the Midwife, has joined the cast of Little Women at York Theater Royal.
He will play the dual roles of John Brooke, Meg and Joe's love interest, and Professor Bear in the production, which opens the theater's fall season from September 21 to October 12.
Jack previously appeared at York Theater Royal in The Guinea Pig Club, Twelfth Night, Homecoming, The End of Desire and Alice's Escape. Other theater productions include “A Streetcar Named Desire'' (Donmar Warehouse) and “Strangers on a Train'' (national tour).
Jack is best known for his role on “Call the Midwife'' as Reverend Tom Hereward. Other TV credits include Endeavor and Waterloo Road. Last year he appeared on Radio 4's The Archers as Harry Chilcott. He also appeared in the 2017 film Instrument of War, playing an American pilot shot down and imprisoned during World War II.
Directed by Juliet Foster (Around the World in 80 Days, The Sovereign, A View from the Bridge, Sense and Sensibility), this adaptation of Louise May Alcott's classic coming-of-age novel by Anne-Marie Casey has been adapted and puts a new spin on the story. The story of stubborn Jo March and her sisters Meg, Beth, and Amy, who grow up in New England during the Civil War.
Juliet, Creative Director at York Theater Royal, said: Louisa May Alcott's story of Joe and her sisters finding their way in the world is very relatable to modern audiences, and Anne Marie Casey's masterful adaptation really brings the wonderful characters together. Breathing life into it. ”
Marmee will be played by Yorkshire actress Kate Hampson, who will return to York Theater Royal in 2022 after playing the title role in the Community production of Coppergate Woman. Other stage roles include Mother/Mrs. Parks in The Railway Children at Hull Truck Theatre. Her television appearances include one on ITV. bay.
Freya Parkes, who recently appeared in the BBC series This Town and the ITV crime drama Grace, stars alongside sisters Aine Medina (Meg), Helen Chong (Amy) and Laura Soper (Beth). He plays the stubborn Jo March. Laura is a former member of York Theater Royal Youth Theater and previously appeared on the theater's main stage in Swallows and Amazons and Hetty Feather.
Completing the cast are Nikhil Singh Rai (Laurie) and Caroline Gruber (Aunt March), who previously starred in Machine Stop at York Theater Royal Studios.
Little Women will run at York Theater Royal from September 21st to October 12th.
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