Over Christmas, we went to see Little Women at ERT – East Riding Theatre – in Beverley, East Yorkshire. It was my first visit and I have to say I was very impressed, both with the play and the theatre itself, and no doubt I will be back in the future. Mainly because it’s a great little theatre with lots going on but also because I can walk to it from my house, which is useful!
You can learn more about what is going on at ERT at: http://www.eastridingtheatre.co.uk/
Little Women at ERT
ERT’s play for the 2019 Christmas season is Little Women, a two-hour stage version of the famous and much adapted books by Louisa M Alcott. Directed by Jake Smith, the play is eight actors playing ten characters and while it’s not totally faithful to the book in terms of timeline or including all the characters, it stays true to the spirit of the book, and to the lives of the March sisters.
There’s no ice-skating on Waldon Pond, or trips to the opera for Jo, but there is plenty of mailbox and glove action, and they all end up where they are supposed to end up, whether that’s with the boy next door or with their maker. There’s also some Christmas singing to move things along and keep the festive feel.
Laura Peterson as Jo was especially good and I thought that Sara Beharell as Marmee got the character spot on. But I’m no theatre critic and to be honest, I thought they all did great. So many lines, and so many places to be. The 12yo was super impressed with how they remember everything night after night.
Little Women has now ended but there are plenty more shows to see this coming year. In fact, the teen is back later this month for Bombshells, a one one-woman play by Joanna Murray-Smith.
East Riding Theatre – ERT
The theatre itself is wonderful. It’s in an old chapel which has seen many lives (the most recent of which if I remember right was as a storage unit for the council’s music services). The renovation has been done brilliantly – all the facilities are there yet the character of the old building remains. The theatre seats around 175 people, which is a nice intimate size. We had seats down the side of the auditorium, five rows back, and the view was fine. Even the 12yo could see ok.
There is a cafe bar, loos, and a car park round the back (charges apply at certain times – check the website for more information). Staff are a mix of paid and volunteers and a great job they were doing of making sure everyone was checked in and happy.
ERT, we will be back!