Sense and Sensibility

by Kate Hamill (Adapted by)

A playful new adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel follows the fortunes (and misfortunes) of the Dashwood sisters—sensible Elinor and hypersensitive Marianne—after their father’s sudden death leaves them financially destitute and socially vulnerable. Set in gossipy late 18th-century England, with a fresh female voice, the play is full of humor, emotional depth, and bold theatricality. SENSE AND SENSIBILITY examines our reactions, both reasonable and ridiculous, to societal pressures. When reputation is everything, how do you follow your heart?

Genres: Plays, Classics, Drama, Theatre, Romance

85 pages, Paperback

Published February 15, 2016

Reviews

[clara ☾*✲⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

it's totally not cheating to add a 50ish-page script you read a few scenes from to goodreads just so you can try to get back on track with your reading challenge !!! what are you talking about?

[Megan Huggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

DELIGHTFUL adaptation of a classic. I love the life and pace, and the characters are all wonderful. I hope to get to work on this play at some point in my career; it's brilliant.

[Dana Cordelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inventively conceived (I love the idea of the Gossips as Chorus) and with the distinct charm and humor of the book, this looks like a really promising play. I'm looking forward to seeing it in Ashland next year, and crossing my fingers that KT Vogt will play Mrs. Jennings.

[Chloe Bastien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this play! I am so happy to have been a part of this production!

[Trudy Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given this four stars but I was disappointed in the way Marianne was portrayed. In this modern version, she had asthma and is depressed, mainly because her failed love affair was exposed on social media. The book was true to the original in plot, characters and place, but I feel that it missed out on a lot that would have been relevant in this modern setting, particularly in light of the conversations about mental health. In short, M in this version does not have the same sense/sensibility as the original.

[Desirae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw this at the village theater in Issaquah, WA, February 2023.

Jane Austen's writing is one that I had trouble with when I first started reading the classics and over the time I have come to really enjoy. She took the time period and the problems of women in that time to different levels and put it out there for others to read. I found this book filled with heartache to be a perfect example of it.

The problems that women faced were numerous and the fact that they could only do two things in life, either marry or not was a given fact. Ms Austen brings to life the perils of the first and what can happen when a young woman fell in love and it was not returned. Driven to heartbreak she told how Marianne fell ill with the loss of her love and her sister, Elinor fell to hidden despair at the same time.

We also were given an example of the honor of the men of that time. Both in Edward but also in Colonel Brandon. As I have found with all of her books though she leads us on a merry chase to only have the happy ever after endings. However in this book we do find that there were some really interesting twists and turns to get us there.

What did I like about this book, well I think what I found is the honor of both men was the best. Edward and Colonel Brandon were both in a complicated love but in different ways. Edward due to folly and the Colonel due to a lost love. I was so proud of Edward when he stood by his commitment, even when his mother disowned him. Then the Colonel so giving even when he thought there was no chance for himself.

What did I not like, well that has to be obvious, Lucy and Fanny. They both drove me mad with anger. Throw in the stupidity of Edwards mother and it was enough to really give way to a fit. I know that even today there are women like that but it just made my skin crawl.

The best part of the whole book though was the ending. Edward to be released from the commitment and allowing him the chance for true love and for the Colonel to win the love of Marianne. Of course, even better than that was the love of family that surrounded all of them.

Reading the classics is an honor that should be required of our younger generations so that they can see just how far we have come. They have a freedom that was unheard of and yet they don't seen to understand how much they have. Even I have learned to really appreciate what so many prior to me have gone through just so that I have the right to make a decision for myself. This was a really great read and I am looking forward to continuing my enjoyment of the classics.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure, this book was started as an assignment from my old college professor, who asked me to take a look and make notes. It was interesting, for the first time since college, to work on reading a show from a purely academic point of view. The most exciting thing was being faced with the challenge of viewing it in a different context than this script is usually known, which is Bedlam's production with the moving set. To do so, I approached it by imagining how I would create a new experience, although it is amazing, knowing they utilized certain devices, how clearly the script lends itself to those tropes.

All in all a phenomenal piece that I'm unsure, ultimately, can be divorced from the source material or the original production.

[Katherine Cowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous adaptation of Sense and Sensibility for the stage! Kate Hamill's script brings energy and liveliness and a fast, modern pacing to the story, bringing the characters and the themes alive. My favorite part was the Chorus, which serves, in a way, as a Greek chorus, and provides societal commentary, but at other times becomes horses that carry the characters from one place to another, and serve to show the passage of time. I would love to someday see this version of Sense and Sensibility performed on the stage.

[Shelby (Grace with Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Jane Austen, and how her works are so easily adaptable to multiple formats.
This particular interpretation, created for the stage, was so wonderfully written. I loved the addition of the gossips who helped frame the piece, as well as the stage directions giving the actors help in motivating their performances.
This is such a good story about love, wealth, and status and I am so happy I had the opportunity to read it for my class.

[Addie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very true adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic, with very notable emphasis given to the role of gossip, the heightened melodrama and romanticism of the improprieties of most characters, and the therefore contrasting measuredness of Elinor, Colonel Brandon, and Mrs. Dashwood. I would call it a true romantic comedy, a rarity in the sphere of drama! I thoroughly enjoyed myself and look forward to my college putting it on.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad adaptation...condensing a piece of classic literature into a short drama is quite difficult, but as an intro to the world of “Sense and Sensibility”, it does a fair job. I found several instances of using memorable quotes from OTHER Jane Austen novels in some of the dialogue (cameo quotes from “Emma” and “Pride and Prejudice”) which make it more fun for the real Austen aficionado:)

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The puppet is a bit weird, as is the aging up of each main character ten years, however, it's funny and witty and easily translates on stage.

The gossips are my favorite part. They are hilarious. My least favorite part is the amount of characters that are cut out of this version (to shorten the play and have less cast members).

[jedbird · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for research. I'm writing a story where high school characters need to act in a play that would have two female leads, and this one seemed very likely. It's a lovely adaptation of Austen, though I must admit I find the resolution somewhat underwhelming. At any rate, it serves my purpose.

[Indira Wolf · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay...well..I felt like that was just a huge complex tangle of ideals of whether to marry to love or money, with betrayal, heartache and lust getting ensnared in all the deceiving thread. Yeah...that probably made.no.sense but give me a break. I'm tired! Lol.

[Addie Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly a fabulous adaptation of such a great Austen novel. Very accurate, very entertaining, I love the addition of the Gossips as a sort of Greek ensemble. I do think it’s is pretty short, I only wish there was more :)

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the best parts of the novel brought together in a cinematic and charming whirlwind of a play. Love the double casting and the "gossips" that help tell the story. A very inventive adaptation!

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's great fun. Tad shallow but very funny.

[Siouxsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun adaptation for the stage. There are many conventions here (the Greek chorus of “Gossips,” for instance) that I think could have been even more present. This would be fun to direct.

[Nanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly satisfying for a non-Austen fan. Wish I'd seen the production on roller skates!

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tells the story in a creative and cool way

[Grace Liz]

Elinor, Marianne

[Wendy Morton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and lighthearted adaptation. It bounces along. Would like to see this one staged.

[Emma Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in this play lol <3 very witty and clever

[Syd · Rating 3 out of 5]

very busy, lots of names to try and keep straight and relationships but a fun time regardless

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teehee, my friends are brilliant.

[erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

poooor mr dashwood

[olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing matters anymore

[annie grace mccurdy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE KATE HAMILL & all that she does. Brilliant

[Julia Bartow Fuchs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I did technically read it

[Julia Bartow Fuchs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I did technically read it