The Arkansas State Theater Department opened the theater season with a hilariously witty retelling of Jane Austen’s “Emma.” 

Set in the fictional town of Highbury, England, the play follows matchmaker Emma Woodhouse as she tries to find suitable partners for her friends, specifically Harriet Smith, but ends up unintentionally making a match for herself. 

Set in the early 1900s, audiences might be surprised to learn that there is plenty to laugh at throughout the entire show. From various innuendos to Mr. Woodhouse’s obsession with gruel to Miss Bates constantly yelling what is going on into her mother’s ear.

One of the funniest recurring bits happens between Mr. Elton and his wife. Emma first tries to set Harriet up with Elton, but he is in love with Emma. Once Emma turns him down, he goes and finds himself a new wife. You can hear their giggling before they enter the stage. Elton passionately recites a bit of poetry, and then the two begin to make out. But not in the way you’re thinking.

Donovan Walters, who plays Mr. Elton, and Libby Wills, who plays Mrs. Elton, really play it up in a way you know it’s supposed to be funny, one often hiking their leg over the other’s hip, then once they break from the kiss, they laugh and run off stage. 

One of the biggest differences between this play and any other I have seen A-State put on is that Emma often directly addresses the audience. She clues us in on the thoughts inside her head, explains important background information, and complains about a number of things.

Not only does she address the audience, but she also asks rhetorical questions and brings them into the show. When Emma realizes who she has been in love with, she points to a person in the audience and says, “You, did you know about this?” She waits for the person to answer or gesture, then says, “Why didn’t you tell me?” By this point, the audience is laughing, and in her turmoil, she tells everyone to “stop laughing,” which only makes everyone laugh harder. 

Mr. Knightly, old friend and neighbor of the Woodhouses, often interrupts Emma’s monologues and talks to the audience as well, while other characters ask Emma who she’s talking to or why she’s talking to herself. 

Ella Scott truly brings Emma to life with her exaggerated facial expressions, body language, and line delivery. Audiences are brought to laughter simply by her reaction to a situation or piece of information. 

Throughout the performance, we watch as Emma grows from a well-meaning but vain young lady into a compassionate young woman who learns to see beyond her own bias, confront her own flaws and fall in love.  

If you enjoy period dramas, rom-coms, or stories of self-discovery, I highly recommend seeing this production. 

There will be three more performances, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m., in the Drama Theater. A-State students are admitted free with their student ID. 

Categories: Arts & Entertainment