By Jennifer Schlueter
The Elliots is A.J. Darby’s world premier adaption of Jane Austen’s final completed romance novel Persuasion, which was published one year after her death. Post-mortem, Austen’s brother titled the work Persuasion, but it was rumored that Austen had wished to call it The Elliots.
The play jumps back and forth from the time Anne Elliot (Kelly Lohman) and Captain Frederick Wentworth (Travis Goodman) first met in 1806 to when they reunite eight years later. If you are unfamiliar with the play, these jumps sometimes seem blurred on stage, but the booklet with the timeline you receive will help you.
19-year-old Anne and Wentworth fall for each other, and she accepts his marriage proposal; however, withdraws after her affluent family’s disapproval because Wentworth has no money. When he returns from naval battles as a wealthy, distinguished soldier, Anne attempts to rekindle their relationship, but soon realizes that he hasn’t forgiven her. Meanwhile, the tables have turned for Anne’s family as their fortune is at risk.
Talented actors, jokes, and bits of sarcasm loosen up the otherwise well-known tale of love, heartbreak, and money of which we have all heard at least five versions. If you’re curious to see for whom this play has a happy ending, check it out at the Freemont Centre Theatre in South Pasadena.
The Elliots runs through June 7, Thursdays- Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. It is sold out on May 30 and June 7. The regular admission is $25, students and seniors pay $20. Reservations can be made via phone at (866) 811–4111 or at www.freemontcentretheatre.com.
