What happens when the writer loses the plot? Emma Watson is 19 and new in town. She’s been cut off by her rich aunt and dumped back in the family home. Emma and her sisters must marry, fast.
If not, they face poverty, spinsterhood, or worse: an eternity with their boorish brother and his awful wife. Luckily there are plenty of potential suitors to dance with, from flirtatious Tom Musgrave to castle-owning Lord Osborne, who’s as awkward as he is rich. So far so familiar.
But there’s a problem: Jane Austen didn’t finish the story. Who will write Emma’s happy ending now? Based on her incomplete novel, this sparklingly witty play looks under the bonnet of Jane Austen and asks: What can characters do when their author abandons them?
This means you do not have to be a member to audition for this production!
We always look forward to welcoming new members and you only need to become a member once you get cast in the production or join the Creative Team.
Emma Watson is 19 and new in town. She’s been cut off by her rich aunt and dumped back in the family home. Emma and her sisters must marry, fast.
If not, they face poverty, spinsterhood, and worse: an eternity with their boorish brother and his awful wife. Luckily, there are plenty of potential suitors to dance with, from rogue Tom Musgrave to earnest clergyman Mr Howard, to castle-owning Lord Osborne, who’s as awkward as he is rich. So far so familiar.
But there’s a problem: Jane Austen didn’t finish the story…
Laura Wade’s fantastic adaptation of The Watsons premiered at the Minerva Theatre in Chichester in 2018 and transferred to the Menier Chocolate Factory in 2019, earning five-star reviews. A West End run was slated to follow in 2020, and the posters had been printed, but then the pandemic happened…
The play begins as a faithful adaptation of the unfinished Jane Austen novel, featuring a cast of characters many of whom are familiar from other Austen stories. The Watson sisters appear to be prototypes of Lizzie and the Bennett girls, there is a caddish Wickham, a Darcy (without the redeeming features), a Lady Catherine de Burgh, and so on.
But…eventually the source material runs out, and the play takes an unexpected and brilliantly imaginative new direction as the Regency clashes with the 21st century and the characters begin to behave in unpredictable and wildly funny ways…
Laura – 30s-40s – Determined to do Jane Austen justice and desperate to save her play and career as the characters rebel.
Emma Watson – Late teen/Early 20s – Our Heroine. Clever, witty and kindly, but nobody’s fool, and keenly aware her limited options for advancement and happiness available to a genteel but poor young woman.
Elizabeth Watson – 20s-30s – The eldest Watson sister, doomed to spend what is left of her youth caring for her father.
Margaret Watson – 20s – The middle Watson sister. Desperate to find a husband.
Robert Watson – 30s – Emma’s older brother. Pompous and self-satisfied.
Mrs Robert (Mary) – 20s-30s -Unhappily married to Robert. Selfish and catty.
Mr Watson – 50s+ -Emma’s father, an invalid who spends much of the play unconscious in bed but has a lovely comic cameo. May be doubled with MR EDWARDS.
Nanny – 40s – The Watsons’ longstanding servant. The play’s sole representative of the working class. May be doubled with MRS EDWARDS
Lord Osborne – 20s-30s – A socially awkward young lord. Emma’s suitor.
Lady Osborne – 50+ – Mother of Lord Osborne and Miss Osborne. Terrifyingly grand and not to be trifled with.
Miss Osborne – Teens or 20s – Younger sister of Lord Osborne.
Mr Howard – 30s-40s – A clergyman and ex-tutor to Lord Osborne. Kindly and decent, but overly pious. Emma’s suitor
Charles Howard – 10-14ish – Mr Howard’s nephew and ward. A lively and intelligent child
Tom Musgrave – 20s-30s – Friend of the Osbornes. A dashing, roguish gentleman. Emma’s suitor.
Mrs Edwards – 40+ – Emma’s chaperone. A good natured, merchant class townswoman. May be doubled with NANNY.
Mr Edwards – 50+ – Her husband. Nonspeaking role. May be doubled with MR WATSON.
Bertie – 20s-30s – An officer. May be doubled with TOM MUSGRAVE
All playing ages are approximate.
If you would like a copy of the play to read, or would like to audition but can’t make the listed audition dates, or have any other questions, please contact Mel Powell at melxpowell@gmail.com.
Most crew roles are also still to be filled, so please also get in touch if you are interested in taking a role backstage.
