THE Royal Exchange Theatre present Jane Austen’s Persuasion in a contemporary and relevant way.

Director, Jeff James’ and James Yeatman’s dynamic adaptation contribute to its success.

Hip hop replaces the quadrille and they infuse the play with humour.

In one amazing scene two characters ‘swim’ in foam on a raised platform. Whether or not they mean to slide off the end is debatable.

Early 19th century attitudes remain and spinsters are despised. So it was every young woman’s ambition to marry money since, back then, women had no rights to property.

Anne Elliot, the heroine of this beautifully crafted play, had, eight years previously, turned down a proposal by Captain Wentworth who could, then, only offer her love.

She was advised to refuse his offer by her family, and so, shame of shame, at the age of 27, she remains unwed.

Then the captain returns, now successful and wealthy but treats her coldly as he is seduced by other girls. He evokes all the old feelings in Anne who rejects the amorous approaches of her cousin.

Lara Rossi makes a perfect Anne with a forthright Samuel Edward-Cook as Wentworth.

I especially like Cassie Layton and Caroline Moroney as the man-mad Louisa and Henrietta; Helen Cripps as Anne’s sister, Mary and the little boy, one of three possible actors, who plays Samuel, her son.

*Persuasion is at the Royal Exchange Theatre until June 24. Tickets from the Royal Exchange Box Office on 0161 833 9833.

Star rating: * * * *

The Royal Exchange Theatre present Jane Austen’s Persuasion in a contemporary and relevant way.

Director, Jeff James’ and James Yeatman’s dynamic adaptation contribute to its success.

Hip hop replaces the quadrille and they infuse the play with humour.

In one amazing scene two characters ‘swim’ in foam on a raised platform. Whether or not they mean to slide off the end is debatable.

Early 19th century attitudes remain and spinsters are despised. So it was every young woman’s ambition to marry money since, back then, women had no rights to property.

Anne Elliot, the heroine of this beautifully crafted play, had, eight years previously, turned down a proposal by Captain Wentworth who could, then, only offer her love.

She was advised to refuse his offer by her family, and so, shame of shame, at the age of 27, she remains unwed.

Then the Captain returns, now successful and wealthy but treats her coldly as he is seduced by other girls. He evokes all the old feelings in Anne who rejects the amorous approaches of her cousin.

Lara Rossi makes a perfect Anne with a forthright Samuel Edward-Cook as Wentworth.

I especially like Cassie Layton and Caroline Moroney as the man-mad Louisa and Henrietta; Helen Cripps as Anne’s sister, Mary and the little boy, one of three possible actors, who plays Samuel, her son.

*Persuasion is at the Royal Exchange Theatre until June 24. Tickets from the Royal Exchange Box Office on 0161 833 9833.

Star rating: * * * *

The Royal Exchange Theatre present Jane Austen’s Persuasion in a contemporary and relevant way.

Director, Jeff James’ and James Yeatman’s dynamic adaptation contribute to its success.

Hip hop replaces the quadrille and they infuse the play with humour.

In one amazing scene two characters ‘swim’ in foam on a raised platform. Whether or not they mean to slide off the end is debatable.

Early 19th century attitudes remain and spinsters are despised. So it was every young woman’s ambition to marry money since, back then, women had no rights to property.

Anne Elliot, the heroine of this beautifully crafted play, had, eight years previously, turned down a proposal by Captain Wentworth who could, then, only offer her love.

She was advised to refuse his offer by her family, and so, shame of shame, at the age of 27, she remains unwed.

Then the Captain returns, now successful and wealthy but treats her coldly as he is seduced by other girls. He evokes all the old feelings in Anne who rejects the amorous approaches of her cousin.

Lara Rossi makes a perfect Anne with a forthright Samuel Edward-Cook as Wentworth.

I especially like Cassie Layton and Caroline Moroney as the man-mad Louisa and Henrietta; Helen Cripps as Anne’s sister, Mary and the little boy, one of three possible actors, who plays Samuel, her son.

*Persuasion is at the Royal Exchange Theatre until June 24. Tickets from the Royal Exchange Box Office on 0161 833 9833.

Star rating: * * * *

The Royal Exchange Theatre present Jane Austen’s Persuasion in a contemporary and relevant way.

Director, Jeff James’ and James Yeatman’s dynamic adaptation contribute to its success.

Hip hop replaces the quadrille and they infuse the play with humour.

In one amazing scene two characters ‘swim’ in foam on a raised platform. Whether or not they mean to slide off the end is debatable.

Early 19th century attitudes remain and spinsters are despised. So it was every young woman’s ambition to marry money since, back then, women had no rights to property.

Anne Elliot, the heroine of this beautifully crafted play, had, eight years previously, turned down a proposal by Captain Wentworth who could, then, only offer her love.

She was advised to refuse his offer by her family, and so, shame of shame, at the age of 27, she remains unwed.

Then the Captain returns, now successful and wealthy but treats her coldly as he is seduced by other girls. He evokes all the old feelings in Anne who rejects the amorous approaches of her cousin.

Lara Rossi makes a perfect Anne with a forthright Samuel Edward-Cook as Wentworth.

I especially like Cassie Layton and Caroline Moroney as the man-mad Louisa and Henrietta; Helen Cripps as Anne’s sister, Mary and the little boy, one of three possible actors, who plays Samuel, her son.

*Persuasion is at the Royal Exchange Theatre until June 24. Tickets from the Royal Exchange Box Office on 0161 833 9833.

Star rating: * * * *