A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Emma

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  6w, 6m

A highly theatrical adaptation of one of Jane Austen's greatest novels, about the mischievous Emma Woodhouse, who – despite vowing never to marry – is nevertheless the "matchmaker of Highbury."

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    6w, 6m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptations (Literature), Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Senior, Pre-Teen (Age 11 - 13), Teen (Age 14 - 18)

Details

Summary

A highly theatrical adaptation of one of Jane Austen's greatest novels. Pledging never to marry, the mischievous Emma Woodhouse is nevertheless the "matchmaker of Highbury." Her newest project, Harriet Smith, has already received a proposal, but Emma insists she marry the eligible vicar Mr. Elton, while, an older family friend, Mr. Knightly, warns her to give up matchmaking. When Emma discovers Mr. Elton is more interested in her, she is forced to fend him off and find another suitor for Harriet. Highbury welcomes two new guests, a mysterious Jane Fairfax and the charming Frank Churchill, and Emma finds herself falling just a little in love with him. Ultimately, she decides that Frank is better suited to Harriet, but when she suggests the match, Emma is astonished to discover that Harriet has fallen for Mr. Knightly. A horrified Emma suddenly realizes she has always been in love with Mr. Knightley. In the end, all is set right as Frank reveals his secret engagement to Jane, Harriet receives a second offer from her first beau, and Mr. Knightley proposes to the deliriously happy Emma.

History
Emma premiered at the Cleveland Play House in Cleveland, Ohio on February 26, 2010. Directed by Peter Amster, the production featured Sarah Nealis in the title role.

EMMA WOODHOUSE – Very pretty, accomplished, willful, highly intelligent, sophisticated and arrogant. Although often wrong, she is always confident of being right. A clever and spoiled young woman with a strong affection for her father.
HENRY WOODHOUSE – Emma’s elderly father. An expert worrier whose hyphochondria is a source of continual amusement, he basks in Emma’s attentions and resists any kind of change. Although he indulges his whims, he also expresses concern for the health of others.
MR. GEORGE KNIGHTLEY – A close friend of the Woodhouse family. A handsome, virile, rational gentleman farmer with great judgment and tact, who acts an adviser to—and finally lover of—Emma. A man’s man.
MISS TAYLOR – Emma’s former governess and the new wife of Mr. Weston.
MR. WESTON – A kindly and cheerful neighbor of the Woodhouses, and the father of Frank Churchill by an earlier marriage. Genial, generous, easygoing and warmhearted.
PHILIP ELTON – The 26-year-old rector of Highberry, who is looking for the right marriage.
HARRIET SMITH – A soft, amiable and adoring orphan, easily swayed, and of a class below Emma’s. Befriended by Emma, she eventually decides to marry the man for whom she was intended.
ROBERT MARTIN – A capable young farmer, in love with Harriet Smith.
MISS BATES – A middle-aged spinster, kind but terribly talkative. Lives in genteel poverty with her ailing mother.
JANE FAIRFAX – A beautiful and talented young woman who is visiting her aunt—Miss Bates—in Highberry.
FRANK CHURCHILL – The very handsome and well-mannered son of Mr. Weston, who was raised by his aunt, and is visiting Highberry for the first time.
AUGUSTA HAWKINS – The vain, nouveau-riche wife of Mr. Elton.

Plus ENSEMBLE

  • Time Period 19th Century
  • Setting

    The parlor and grounds of Emma Woodhouse and other locations. Early 1800s.

  • Features Period Costumes
  • Additional Features Not Applicable
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

“A delightful retelling.” – Talkin' Broadway

“Joyful!” – Cleveland Plain Dealer

Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)
  • Chorus Size No Chorus

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

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Authors

Michael Bloom

Michael Bloom is a writer and director and the former artistic director of Cleveland Play House. In addition to Emma, his plays include The Fagin Effect (based on Oliver Twist) and adaptations of Lessing’s Nathan the Wise and Ostrovsky’s Artists and Admirers. His latest play ...

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