THE ELLIOTS
I had never been to the Fremont Centre Theatre before, (I actually had never even heard of it!,) so I was really looking forward to the experience. And I was happy to discover not only a new theatre, (new to me,) but a neighborhood I had never seen. Both South Pasadena and the theatre are quaint, and gave me a good summer-stock-in-Pennsylvania feeling. And how’s this for a bonus?–There’s free parking behind the theatre!
Being a big romantic, I’ve been a Jane Austen fan since I was little, so when I found-out this play was based on her novel Persuasion, I was in. I had never even heard of this final, posthumously published, novel of hers, so I went in knowing very little of what I was in for. [Note: I found-out the info in that last sentence when I researched the topic post-show, of course.]
The Elliots is perhaps the best little theatre production I’ve ever seen! There’s not much to criticize here, except for maybe the very bland set and even blander costumes (that basically all looked like bad white nightgowns. I was so happy when one character told another to put on a red gown, because I was craving some color by that point, but it was just talk.) But the set and costumes were of little consequence. It’s the wonderful performances and perfect casting that are to be lauded.
And, of course, the adaptation by A. J. Darby, (which sounds like the name of an Austen character!) That could not have been an easy task. I researched the book after I saw the play, and Darby did an admirable job of narrowing down the storyline to only the main characters, and just making mention of a few of the others. It would have been a mess, and way too long, to portray all the little subplots on a small stage. As it is, the last few scenes could have been made a bit shorter. At that point, we saw where it was all going. And we wanted to see where we were all going—out of the very warm theatre! (And maybe into their sweet little backyard area, complete with tables and chairs.)
The cast of ten had no weaknesses. (Except for the horrible hair-dos, which, of course, were by design, to fit the time period. But when I have bangs that look like the heroine’s did, I won’t leave the house! And I cover all the mirrors!) I was shocked to see that, as a group, they have few professional credits because I have rarely seen such excellent performances in a little theatre!
I’m sure that much of that credit goes to the director, Karissa McKinney. I can’t tell you how impressed I was with the whole production! I even loved the picture on the front of the programs!
Speaking of the programs, make sure you read what the scenes are before it begins. All of the backstory, that you need to know for the storyline to make sense, is told in flashbacks, (that are labeled “memories,”) and you won’t know when those are unless you know about them in advance. My friend didn’t look at her program beforehand, and was confused during the first act, until I could let her in on it at intermission.
So, if you’d like a delightful, non-painful evening of theatre, the Fremont Center is the place to go. Just dress in layers, because it’s hot in there.
The Elliots running through June 7, 2015
Fremont Centre Theatre
1000 Fremont Avenue, South Pasadena
626-441-5977 www.fremontcentretheatre.com