Little Women
Photos by Nobby Clark
There’s something timeless about Little Women. Louisa May Alcott’s cherished novel continues to speak across generations as a story of sisterhood, creativity, love, and the bittersweet transitions of growing up. For many readers, it holds a special place in our hearts, and it’s always approached with both excitement and trepidation whenever a new retelling arrives. At last night’s press night in Bath, I went in wondering one thing: could this latest stage adaptation capture the same warmth and wisdom that makes the March sisters’ world so beloved?
Photos by Nobby Clark
Under the sensitive direction of Loveday Ingram and in Anne-Marie Casey’s thoughtful adaptation, this touring production answers that question with a confident and wholehearted yes. From the opening moments, it’s clear that this Little Women has been crafted with genuine affection and deep respect for Alcott’s original novel. It’s a production that glows with sincerity. This is a faithful and energetic interpretation that invites the audience to step right into the March household.
The staging is deceptively simple but beautifully effective. Ruari Murchinson’s design work, paired with Mike Robertson’s gentle, expressive lighting, creates a sense of fluidity that allows the story to move seamlessly from scene to scene across the various settings. The audience is transported from the family’s modest New England home, across a frozen lake and to the grander drawing rooms of society. The inclusion of Christmas carols and songs performed by the cast help create a sense of time and place. It’s a world that feels lived in and warmly familiar. The movement and sound design contribute to a quietly immersive atmosphere.
The staging is deceptively simple but beautifully effective. Ruari Murchinson’s design work, paired with Mike Robertson’s gentle, expressive lighting, creates a sense of fluidity that allows the story to move seamlessly from scene to scene across the various settings. The audience is transported from the family’s modest New England home, across a frozen lake and to the grander drawing rooms of society. The inclusion of Christmas carols and songs performed by the cast help create a sense of time and place. It’s a world that feels lived in and warmly familiar. The movement and sound design contribute to a quietly immersive atmosphere.
Photos by Nobby Clark
The performances are uniformly strong, each actor fully inhabiting their characters. Belinda Lang and Juliet Aubrey bring depth and warmth to their roles, with stage presences that are both strong and compassionate. Among the younger cast, Perry Williams shines as the ever-charming Laurie, balancing boyish charm with moments of striking emotional depth. Meg was played last night by understudy Zoë Clayton-Kelly, who offered a tender portrait of maturity and self-discovery, while Natalie Dunne brings real warmth and spirit to Jo, conveying the character’s mix of passion and vulnerability with natural ease. Her onstage chemistry with Williams is especially lovely, their scenes together brimming with natural warmth and unspoken affection.
Behind the scenes, Sarah Yelland’s stage management ensures the production’s polish never falters and every transition, every cue, seems perfectly placed. It’s a production that feels cohesive and lovingly tended to in every detail, a testament to a creative team working so well together.
Behind the scenes, Sarah Yelland’s stage management ensures the production’s polish never falters and every transition, every cue, seems perfectly placed. It’s a production that feels cohesive and lovingly tended to in every detail, a testament to a creative team working so well together.
Photos by Nobby Clark
Ultimately, this Little Women doesn’t seek to reinvent Alcott’s story so much as to honour it. And in doing so, it breathes new life into familiar pages.
With its cosy charm and emotional depth, this production feels made for the colder months.
This is a story to wrap yourself up in like a favourite winter novel. This heartfelt adaptation continues at the Theatre Royal from Tuesday 28 October to Saturday 1 November, and it’s well worth securing a ticket.
With its cosy charm and emotional depth, this production feels made for the colder months.
This is a story to wrap yourself up in like a favourite winter novel. This heartfelt adaptation continues at the Theatre Royal from Tuesday 28 October to Saturday 1 November, and it’s well worth securing a ticket.