This year is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth so the performance of The Watsons by the students of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is a timely one.
You may not have heard of this story by the famous author because she actually never finished it. Jane began writing The Watsons in 1803 but abandoned the project in January 1805 after her father’s death. Jane’s sister Cassandra discovered the manuscript after her passing. It is now split into two parts which are on display at the Morgan Library & Museum in New York, and the Bodleian Library in Oxford.
The part of the story that Jane Austen did write centres on Emma Watson, daughter of a widowed and ill clergyman, who due to facing spinsterhood and poverty hatches a plan with her sisters to get married.
This adaptation continues Jane’s original story but not in the way you might think! The show by Bristol Old Vic Theatre School features Laura Wade (Molly Watton Williams), a mysterious maid who turns out to be not quite what she seems. There’s a big twist involving Laura which we’re not going to give away because it’s great fun to discover it live. We recommend you don’t find out in advance!
We really enjoyed this show and the cast of amateur actors were brilliant. There are some proper laugh out loud moments and the costumes are stunning.
Special cast mentions go to Oscar Gough, who is fantastic as the eccentric and quirky Lord Osbourne, and Ellie Carnaby is impressive as Emma Watson.
The set is simple but highly effective at creating the Regency atmosphere, with clever sound and lighting by Sol Goddard and Jacob Manston.
We are always impressed by the talent produced by the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and this is one of the best of their shows that we’ve seen. Highly recommended!
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The Watsons is at The Station in Bristol until Saturday 22 March.
Images by Craig Fuller
