May 13th 2024.
Frances Poet, an award-winning Scottish playwright, is excited to bring her new adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel Sense and Sensibility to the Pitlochry Festival Theatre. Amidst the hustle and bustle of rehearsals, we had the chance to catch up with her and learn more about her experience working on the play and what audiences can expect from the show.
When asked about her first encounter with Sense and Sensibility, Frances recalls being a teenager and immediately falling in love with the novel. She vividly remembers connecting with the passionate and headstrong Marianne, one of the two sisters at the heart of the story, and feeling heartbroken by her romantic betrayal. However, her memories of the novel were soon overshadowed by watching Emma Thompson’s brilliant film adaptation at the cinema with a friend. She fondly recalls her friend audibly gasping at the sight of Greg Wise’s handsome and charming Willoughby, a moment that has stayed with her ever since.
Frances has been a fan of Austen’s work since she was eleven years old when her father offered her £5 to read his favorite novel, Pride and Prejudice. From that moment on, she was hooked. Austen’s writing, despite being hundreds of years old, still managed to make her laugh and feel connected to the characters. She reveals that reading Austen’s novels made her realize that the past is not so different from the present, a newfound understanding for a young reader.
When asked about the preparation for the show, Frances admits that it has been a unique experience for her. Although she had the opportunity to work with Pitlochry Festival Theatre during the pandemic on an audio play called Sophia, this is her first time working with them in person. The repertory model, where multiple productions are rehearsed and performed at the same time, has presented some challenges, but Frances is in awe of the actors' versatility and dedication.
Adapting a classic like Sense and Sensibility also comes with its own set of challenges. With a limited stage time of two hours, Frances had to condense the story, plot, and characters into a cast of eight, playing thirteen roles. She had to make tough decisions and leave out some details and characters, but she also saw it as an opportunity to highlight and intensify the core elements of the story.
Frances explains that one of the things she loves about adapting classics is the feeling of co-writing with the original author. She sees it as a collaboration, where Austen's work serves as a map with all the important beats and moments, allowing her to do her best work. And as an added bonus, she doesn't have to split the commission fee with anyone.
When asked about what she hopes audiences will take away from the show, Frances reveals that first and foremost, she wants them to have a fantastic night out. She hopes that they will enjoy the romantic comedy elements of the story while also recognizing the deeper themes of grieving and heartbreak that the female characters face in a world where they have little control. She also hopes that audiences will appreciate and admire Austen's talent for capturing the best and worst of human nature.
As for her daily routine, Frances shares that she starts her day early, taking the 6.47am train from Glasgow to Pitlochry. After rehearsals, she spends some time with the director before heading back home to work on some admin tasks for her teaching job at the University of St Andrews. Her daughter's RSNO choir rehearsal conveniently ends at the same time as her train arrival, allowing them to travel home together. She admits that by Wednesday, she is usually exhausted, but she looks forward to returning to her usual routine of working on a new play commission from the comfort of her home.
Sense and Sensibility will be running at Pitlochry Festival Theatre from June 21st to September 27th. Frances encourages everyone to come and see the show and be entertained, laugh, and fall in love with Austen's timeless story once again.
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