A lively and captivating retelling of a classic

REVIEW: 'Little Women' at the New Theatre

One of the most popular novels of all time is brought to the stage in an accomplished new production, which opened at the New Theatre, Cardiff last night (Tuiesday 29 April).

Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women was a critical and commercial success, when it was published 150 years ago, and the story continues to resonate today.

Hot on the heels of the 2019 Greta Gerwig film, which brought the tale to a new generation, Anne-Marie Casey’s adaptation is a lively and captivating retelling of this American classic.

We follow the March sisters - boisterous Jo (Grace Molony), beautiful Meg (Jade Kennedy), sensitive Beth (Catherine Chalk), and self-centred Amy (Imogen Elliot), as they move from childhood to womanhood in the time of the American Civil War.

Humour, adventure, sadness, romance, love and loss - we experience all this and more, as the sisters seek to find their own way into adulthood, constantly adjusting to the changing dynamic between them.

It's ultimately a heartwarming celebration of women, and this production captures that in dynamic and dramatic fashion.

The performances are excellent - not just by the sisters. Belinda Lang stands out as the formidable Aunt March, while Ellie Pawsey ably stepped into the role of Marmee last night, filling in for Honeysuckle Weeks.

Cillian Lenaghan is convincing as rich, handsome neighbour Laurie, while Jack Ashton impresses in two roles - Laurie's tutor John in the first act, and Jo's new best friend Friedrich in the second.

Director Loveday Ingram drives the action along at a pace, and designer Ruari Murchison has created convincing costumes and an impressive set - helped by the lighting (Mike Roberston) and sound and music (Mathew Bugg).

Kudos too to movement director Mike Ashcroft for choreographing a range of dances, but even more impressively, some quite intricate play-fighting between the young characters.

Little Women is at the New Theatre until Saturday (3 May). You can find out more and order tickets online here or from the box office on 0343 310 0041.

Review by Andy Weltch

Photos by Nobby Clark

We received free tickets for this performance in exchange for an honest review