Persuasion by Jane Austen Ballarat National Theatre

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...