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Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
EMMA Reeve's stage adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's evergreen
novel, Little Women, will open at the West End's
Duchess Theatre on October 13, 2004, with previews from September
27.
A semi-autobiography, Little Women was first published
as long ago as 1868. Set in New England, it follows the fortunes
of the March family, in particular, of romantic Meg, fiery Jo,
shy Beth and wilful Amy - the sisters destined to fall in love
during the American Civil War.
The stage version is the latest in a string of adaptations that
include both radio and television productions, as well as, in
1994, a Hollywood, big screen version that starred Susan Sarandon,
Winona Ryder and Kirsten Dunst.
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And a measure of its popularity,
Little Women appeared alongside such classics as War
and Peace and The Lord of the Rings in BBC TV's
Big Read Top Ten.
Reeve's stage version was first seen at the 1999 Edinburgh Festival,
followed, in April 2001, by performances at north London's Gatehouse
Theatre.
Next, and in the same year, came a sell-out Christmas season
at Hampstead's New End Theatre,
and finally, in 2002, it was reprised at the Lilian Baylis Theatre,
Sadler's Wells.
Returning to the cast as Jo, Meg and Amy, will be Sarah Grochala,
Sarah Edwardson and Diana Eskell, although the part of Beth will
be played by newcomer, Phoebe Thomas.
Also returning, will be Lizzie Conrad as Mrs March, Ann Micklethwaite
as Sallie Gardiner, Paul Hampton as Laurie and Tim Fessler as
John Brooke.
Little Women will be directed by Andrew Loudon and is
currently booking until January 15, 2005.
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