Persuasion by Jane Austen

Ballarat National Theatre
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Persuasion by Jane Austen

A Persuasion audiobook performed by 20 actors with gorgeous ambient sounds and an original musical score to bring the story to life. From the director of the Webby Award Honouree podcast of Pride and Prejudice. Presented over 13 beautiful episodes. This dramatised audiobook is produced by the Australian not-for-profit community theatre company, Ballarat National Theatre. 

Season 1

  1. Persuasion 1. | Meet the Elliots

    EPISODE 1

    Persuasion 1. | Meet the Elliots

    Welcome to Kellynch Hall, the ancestral manor of Sir Walter Elliot and the home of our forgotten and ignored heroine, Anne. Sir Walter, a vain and extravagant man, has found his spending has put them in a challenging financial position and our story begins with the Elliot's being forced to leave their home and rent it out to recoup costs. But it is not any ordinary tenant; it is someone connected to a name never forgotten by Anne, a love long since lost. Will this mean the chance of seeing hi...

    53 min
  2. Persuasion 2. | Past Persuasions

    EPISODE 2

    Persuasion 2. | Past Persuasions

    Inspired by recent events, Anne looks back over the last few years, recalling how she once wished to marry the dashing Captain Wentworth yet was persuaded to give him up, resulting in his self-imposed exile. Time has provided Anne with wisdom over the event, particularly as she is still unattached. Anne’s youngest sister Mary reports feeling poorly and requests Anne’s company prior to journeying on to Bath. Whilst visiting her sister has its challenges, Anne makes some good-humoured new acqua...

    36 min
  3. Persuasion 3. | The Captain's Return

    EPISODE 3

    Persuasion 3. | The Captain's Return

    Anne enjoys the refreshing company of her new friends, whilst observing her sister and her husband, Charles’ somewhat disorderly domesticity and, as usual, being overlooked other than to assist in resolving disputes. The dashing Captain Wentworth arrives to visit his sister, the new tenant of Kellynch Hall, resulting in he and Anne meeting for the first time since the dissolution of their engagement. How does his renewed presence impact Anne – and is the love they once shared truly extinguish...

    50 min
  4. Persuasion 4. | Perpetual Estrangement

    EPISODE 4

    Persuasion 4. | Perpetual Estrangement

    The tension in the air whenever Anne and Captain Wentworth are in each other’s presence could be cut with a knife, not that anyone else is paying attention to Anne. All the ladies are enamoured by him and hope that he will pursue a suit for one of them. Alas other men currently pursuing the Musgrove girls are put out at this supposed new competition. Wentworth finally notices Anne, coming to her rescue from the rambunctious actions of her nephew. Why does this affect Anne so? We hope you enjo...

    44 min
  5. Persuasion 5. | Behind the Hedgerow

    EPISODE 5

    Persuasion 5. | Behind the Hedgerow

    Mary’s inability to read the room continues as she invites herself on a walk with the Musgrove girls, Anne and Captain Wentworth. Louisa is a terrible flirt and her impropriety leads to idle and potentially damaging gossip being revealed to Captain Wentworth about Anne. An opportunity to visit the stunning seaside town of Lyme provides a much needed intermission to the somewhat claustrophobic environment of Mary and Charles’ home at Uppercross. There, Anne finds she is able to be of assistanc...

    47 min
  6. Persuasion 6. | Lyme

    EPISODE 6

    Persuasion 6. | Lyme

    Competition does wonders for reflecting on what might have been as Wentworth observes another man noticing Anne. The Elliot’s cousin, and heir to Kellynch Hall, has coincidentally arrived in Lyme and is staying at the same hotel as the Uppercross party. Having previously rejected the Baronetage, and a family plan to engage him to Anne’s sister Elizabeth, his estrangement from the Elliot’s is still raw for Anne. However, opportunities arise for conversation and clearing of air. Girlish tomfool...

    37 min
  7. Persuasion 7. | Lady Russell Returns

    EPISODE 7

    Persuasion 7. | Lady Russell Returns

    Whilst her sister and brother-in-law remain in Lyme, Anne visits her friend and mentor, Lady Russell. Despite a strained start, the women are able to converse more freely, with Anne revealing her suspicious that Captain Wentworth is attached to Louisa Musgrove. A visit by the duo to the tenants of Kellynch Hall reminds Anne of what her father’s hubris has lost them, and she is also informed that Captain Wentworth has been speaking of her. The return of Mary and her family to Uppercross fills ...

    37 min
  8. Persuasion 8. | Bath

    EPISODE 8

    Persuasion 8. | Bath

    Anne’s presence in Bath has little impact on her father, Sir Walter, and eldest sister Elizabeth, who have been enjoying the faster pace of the city. Anne finds a reinvigorated Mr Elliot who has renewed his intentions to respect and fulfill his aristocratic duties, much to Sir Walter’s pleasure and he appears exceedingly attentive to Anne. Sir Walter’s companion, Mrs Clay, is invited to stay longer despite Anne’s arrival, sparking rumours of an inappropriate attachment. Elizabeth and Si...

    37 min
  9. Persuasion 9. | A Surprise Engagement

    EPISODE 9

    Persuasion 9. | A Surprise Engagement

    Anne’s time in Bath is improved by the discovery that an old school friend, Mrs Smith (nee Hamilton), lives in town, however, she is shocked at her old friend’s living situation, a consequence of extravagance and the early death of her husband. Despite her lower station in life, Anne chooses to regularly visit her friend, eschewing more socially acceptable invitations, much to the chagrin of her social climbing family. Lady Russell forms an opinion of Mr Elliot’s intentions yet Anne remains u...

    51 min
  10. Trailer: Jane Austen's Persuasion

    SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Trailer: Jane Austen's Persuasion

    From the director who brought you our Webby Award Honouree audiobook podcast production of Pride and Prejudice comes our latest Jane Austen adaption. Our not-for-profit community at Ballarat National Theatre is excited to share Persuasion like you’ve never heard it before, with twenty actors bringing the characters to life, ambient sounds setting the scene and original music compositions to capture your heart and connect you to Austen’s own words. Join us each week as we release new chapters....

    2 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.1
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

A Persuasion audiobook performed by 20 actors with gorgeous ambient sounds and an original musical score to bring the story to life. From the director of the Webby Award Honouree podcast of Pride and Prejudice. Presented over 13 beautiful episodes. This dramatised audiobook is produced by the Australian not-for-profit community theatre company, Ballarat National Theatre. 

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