Rose Theatre announces full cast and creatives for world premiere of Ava Pickett’s new adaptation of EMMA
In celebration of the 250th anniversary year of Jane Austen’s birth, one of Britain’s most beloved novelists, the Rose Theatre has announced the full cast and creative team for the world premiere of Ava Pickett’s (1536) new adaptation of Emma, which plays at the venue from 17 September-11 October.
Directed by Rose Theatre’s Artistic Director Christopher Haydon, this new staging swaps drawing room duets for dance floor-fillers, bringing Emma’s matchmaking and mischief into the 21st century for longtime fans of Austen’s story and new audiences alike.
The cast includes Amelia Kenworthy (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) as Emma Woodhouse, Kit Young (Shadow and Bone; ALIEN:Earth) as George Knightley, Nigel Lindsay (Kiss Me Kate; Four Lions) as Mr. Woodhouse, and Lucy Benjamin (EastEnders; Detectorists) as Mrs. Bates, with Josh Bilyard as Rob Martin, Jessica Brindle (Top Girls, National Theatre) as Isabella Woodhouse, Bobby Lockwood (The Outpost; Wolfblood) as Elton, Sofia Oxenham (Poldark; Extraordinary) as Harriet Smith, and Adrian Richards (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, RSC; Noises Off!, West End) as John Knightley.
The creative team joining Pickett and Haydon includes set and costume designer Lily Arnold, movement director Kloé Dean, lighting designer Philip Gladwell, composer and sound designer Kieran Lucas, intimacy and fight director Haruka Kuroda, casting director Juliet Horsley CDG, and voice & dialect coach Claudette Williams.
Writer Ava Pickett said: “Emma Woodhouse is one of my favourite literary heroines 'cos she's the ultimate ‘unlikeable female character’, and it's been such a joy to bring all of her good intentions, bad assessments, and wildly misplaced confidence to a story that's set now. I've had such fun watching Emma try to navigate the chaos of her early twenties (pointing out everyone else's shortcomings instead of her own) and redefine her relationship with Harriet Smith, to create a show that's as much about female friendship as it is about love. I can't wait for you to meet her (but don't take whatever she says about you personally)!"