Bedlam’s “Sense and Sensibility” moves the audience — in unexpected and wonderful ways
Unique production of Jane Austen classic running at American Repertory Theater through Jan. 14, 2018
December 11, 2017
Jane Austen’s novel “Sense and Sensibility” has been around for over 200 years … but it’s never been done quite like this!
The American Repertory Theater’s production of “Sense and Sensibility” has all the wit, charm, and humor of Austen’s classic novel, shown with the unique flair brought by the Bedlam theater company.
The tale focuses on two Dashwood sisters — Elinor (Maggie Adams McDowell) and Marianne (Jessica Frey). The story unfolds as the girls deal with the loss of their fortune, being forced out of their home … and being at the age to marry. Along the way the audience is introduced to a variety of compelling characters and cast, from the energetic young Margaret Dashwood (Violeta Picayo) to the serious Colonel Brandon (James Patrick Nelson).
Ryan Quinn and Lisa Birnbaum pose during a dress rehearsal of Bedlam’s “Sense and Sensibility” at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Mass., on Dec. 9, 2017.
Lisa Birnbaum’s performance stood out, playing the roles of Mrs. Dashwood (widowed mother of the Dashwood girls), Anne Steele (silly girl who loves her hair ribbon), and Mrs. Ferrars (unsympathetic woman who’s determined to have her sons marry well). Birnbaum gives each of her roles a unique touch, even as she quickly switches between them. At one point, she is actually thrown back and forth across the room on a chair as she plays dual roles in the same scene.
The dynamic usage of the staging attracts a lot of attention. People glide on wheeled chairs, sofas are sped through the scenes, doorways are shifted. The contrast between moments of motion and moments of stillness is used throughout the show to represent the winding conversations and varied mental states of the characters on stage.
The sets are often moved around during scenes as well, suddenly switching the direction of the scene. This fits well with the theater, as there is seating on both sides of the stage and it ensures that everyone gets to see what is happening.
Another unique take on the staging is the use of the cast. The actors aren’t just the characters — they also spend parts of the show as the set, props, animals, scenery, and so on.
Director Eric Tucker did not go the easy or classic route for staging with this production, and — from the audience members’ reactions at the dress rehearsal on Dec. 9, 2017 — it paid off. I doubt many of them had the experience of being asked to hold on to one of the cast members, nearly being crashed into with a chair, or seeing people make up a carriage.
Cast members in Bedlam’s “Sense and Sensibility” transform themselves into a bed during the dress rehearsal at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Mass., on Dec. 9, 2017.
The costumes and sets are simple but elegant, the sound effects added to the comedic value, and the lighting further pushed the emotional charge of the show as it shifts from subtle to chaotic at a high emotional point.
An unexpected enjoyment was the choreography by Alexandra Beller, which went from abstract to the proper styles of the time period to the energetic dance party that began the show.
The American Repertory Theater’s performance ranged from deeply heartfelt to an uncontrollable hilarity, making it a must-see of the season.
(Bedlam’s “Sense and Sensibility” is being performed at the Loeb Drama Center in Cambridge from Dec. 10, 2017, to Jan. 14, 2018. For information or tickets, go to https://americanrepertorytheater.org/.)
The cast focuses on Maggie Adams McDowell as Elinor Dashwood during a dress rehearsal of Bedlam’s “Sense and Sensibility” at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Mass., on Dec. 9, 2017.
–Dec. 10, 2017–
