Acting Sensibly
Delighted to announce the near opening of Cedarville University’s production of Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Sense and Sensibility (and my part in directing it!). The show runs from Feb. 1-11th, 2024.
Sense and Sensibility by Kate Hamill adapted from the novel by Jane Austen
It’s a treat living with Austen’s story and working with talented young artists passionate about telling it. More about the show and tickets can be found here:
Some thoughts as we come to the fulfillment of this rehearsal process…
Author of Echoes from Eden, Jerram Barrs calls Jane Austen “a novelist of the human heart;” her lasting popularity revealing the way “some intellectuals and literary critics fail to understand ordinary people.” (And dare I add, how some men fail to understand feminine interests.)
Within her world of sentimental fiction, Austen wrote with a truthfulness rare to any genre. Truth, artfully shaped, is what captures us… and keeps us debating.
Early reviews of the S&S novel noted its lessons in conduct, a cautionary tale against histrionics. With the times, critics shifted sympathy to Marianne; her sentimentality was justified, even preferable to Elinor’s restraint. As we approach this story, I want to encourage rejecting this perceived binary between head or heart, rather a pulling between two necessary forces within each of us. After all, the novel is titled with And not Or.
Elinor chooses restraint for the sake of leadership, a burden placed upon her at the early passing of her father; in doing so, she risks losing what she wants. Meanwhile, Marianne retains her childhood freedom for expression.Within personality types, we see the outworking of these chosen values and the consequences of each. The choice is not between the impossibility of having feelings or not, but in learning to govern them. This key distinction is what Marianne grows to respect in Elinor.
The chorus of Song of Solomon asks, “What shall we do for our sister on the day when she is spoken for?” They conclude, “If she is a wall, we will build on her a battlement of silver, but if she is a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar.”
The choice isn’t between sisters or giving up heart for the sake of the mind, but how wisdom aids attaining lasting happiness. If Elinor is a wall, she deserves our gilding. If Marianne is a door, she deserves our protection. As Austen supplies each accordingly, both receive their happy ending.
Austen offers two strong leads. Elinor is a rare protagonist: a self-controlled, confident, and caring woman who isn’t required to become loud. Marianne, fully a heroine in her own right, matures while maintaining her youthful joy.
Appealing to our sense and sensibility, Austen continues to have “the human hearts of ordinary people” troubled for and rejoice with each sister. Grateful for Kate Hamill’s joyful adaptation, we’re excited to share this telling of Jane Austen’s enduring story.
If you’re too far away (or want to prepare for attending CU’s production) I recommend listening to this abridged audiobook of the novel (included in Spotify Premium), voiced by Kate Winslet!
Big thanks to Hannah B. for recommending this resource she discovered while preparing the role of Elinor!
