Northanger Abbey, Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond

A STRONG cast, well developed characters, authentic costumes and a stylish and subtly effective set constitute high quality ingredients for a refined period drama.

This production, courtesy of Bury St Edmunds Theatre Royal, was a fitting tribute for the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death.

Young Catherine Morland whose romantic fantasies are inspired by popular fiction, such as Mrs Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolpho, is visiting Bath in the hope of widening her acquaintance.

Eva Feiler captured the heady enthusiasm and naivety of a young woman in pursuit of lofty ideals encountering snobbery and superficiality, while Annabelle Terry brought to life the vivacious but fickle Isabella Thorpe.

Austen’s wry point that the social order encouraged manipulation and self-seeking was well illustrated in the comparison between families – the Thorpes are the antithesis of the highly principled Morlands, while the generations of the Tilney family are divided by their differing views.

When an invitation takes our heroine to Northanger Abbey for the second act, her imagination runs away with her. The lavish crystal chandeliers and versatile dark wooden benches were transformed by the projection of a gothic arch and melodramatic piano music to fuel the drama Catherine sees around her.

Jonathan Hansler brought well-received comic eccentricity to the role of Colonel Tilney, and contrasted perfectly with his affable son Henry, played jovially by Harry Livingstone. It is only when the young Eleanor Tilney’s status is elevated above her father’s by marriage that her rank allows her to persuade him to permit Henry to marry the less fortunately situated Catherine.

Tim Luscombe’s adaptation concluded with a kiss by the happy couple beneath a rose covered arch to the sound of whoops and whistles of delight from a thoroughly satisfied audience. Elegant, entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable.

Christina McIntyre