Little Women is not a story that in the 1960s to 70s, should have appealed to a boy. You see, we were supposed to be into Action Men toys and war comics. However, while at a trip to the dentist, aged 4, I was offered a free comic from the reception, I chose the Bunty. Therefore, my range of culture has never exactly been stereotypical. Therefore, over 50 years later, I readily attended Anne-Marie Casey’s adaptation of Little Women at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

Based on the 1868-69 novels, Little Women and Good Wives, by Louisa May Alcott, the story revolves around four sisters (Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March) who mature from childhood throughout the story. The themes Little Women addresses are domesticity, work, and true love, all independently and each important to the hero’s individual identity. As in the book, the plot takes an episodic format with each sequence seamlessly segueing into the next, and much credit must go to Loveday Ingram (Direction) and Mike Ashcroft (Movement) for this.

A minimal set always works, letting the imagination do the rest without the need for extravagance which detracts from the performances of the cast. This was the case with this production and Ruri Murchison’s designs totally did the trick and were complemented by excellent sound and lighting from Matthew Bugg and Mike Robertson, respectively. Credit also to Dave Nelson and his stage management team.

Playing the principal sister, Grace Malony displayed all the tomboyish character of Jo while showing the fiery temper and stubborn personality as she matures into the successful writer she is to become. The dependable and eldest girl, Meg was portrayed by Jade Kennedy who captured the character’s down-to-earth sprit. Then you get Beth. I always have an affinity for Beth, and her demise is still to this day one of the most tragic and upsetting in literature. Catherine Chalk, I am pleased to say totally nailed the part and gave me the Beth I knew. And then we get Amy. Ah, Amy, the troublesome youngest sibling, precocious and vain at times who like many youngest children gets what they want. Imogen Elliott was perfect in this role, but also showed the softer side at times, which I liked.

There were also good performances from Cillian Lenaghan (Theodore “Laurie” Lawrence) and Jack Ashton, playing John Brooke in Act One, and Professor Bhaer in Act Two. Stepping up to replace Honeysuckle Weeks as Marmee was Ellie Pawsey who totally owned this role.

Finally, as Aunt March, the domineering matriarch of the family, was Belinda Lang. I have liked and enjoyed Lang’s work for well over forty years. To Serve Them All Our Days (I’ll never get over Beth Powlett-Jones’ death – sob!), the brilliant Dear John and one of my all-time favourites, the often outside of the box comedy, 2Point4 Children. I can honestly say, though, such is the high calibre of acting from Lang, you would not have known it was her, such was she Aunt March. Powerful and formidable but caring at times. A wonderful performance I was privileged to see.

Little Women can be found touring the UK until November. Well worth a visit to the March family.

Cheers.

Antony N Britt

*Photos taken from the public domain (Primarily by Nobby Clark) and may not be representative of the actual performance reviewed.