Louisa May Alcock’s book Little Women is inspired by her experiences growing up. It follows the lives of 4 sisters experiencing genteel poverty while their father is away serving as an army chaplain during the American Civil War.

Writer Anne-Marie Casey has managed to maintain that wholesome, unpretentious, sense of family that features in the book. The show opens with the sound of gunfire in the background and the actors enter to the haunting sound of The Battle Hymn of America.  Music plays a large part of the soundtrack enhancing the mood and the sight of the sisters gathered around the pianola to sing carols in four-part harmony was particularly charming
A twinkling Christmas tree and simple furniture layout front of stage is set against a background of tall tree trunks allowing seamless transitions between scenes inside and outside the house.

Performances across the board were strong with the sisters bouncing off each other. Grace Malony played strong willed, protagonist tomboy Jo with a great deal of energy, and Amy (Imogen Elliott) was suitable dislikeable as the spoilt vain sister. Responsible and kind Meg (Jade Kennedy) was rather overshadowed by her more vigorous sisters but in my opinion, it was Catherine Chalk who shone as gentle Beth. Cillian Lenaghan was genial as new neighbour Laurie and believable as a rejected lover. Brooke and Bhaer (Jack Ashton) provided a secondary love interest for Beth and Jo although it was a shame the costumes couldn’t be less similar.

Belinda Lang as Aunt March an outspoken matron with an attractive Katherine Hepburn, accent & Honeysuckle Weeks was calm and controlled as the moral role model to her daughters.

This is a gentle evening’s entertainment, true to the much-loved original however it’s not without fault. The first half lacked pace. Disagreements in the script were over loud, and the tantrums were melodramatic and unbelievable.

Whether you’re a fan of Alcott’s novel or new to it, this adaptation offers nostalgia and is thoroughly entertaining, moving, and engaging.

4 stars.

Photo credit Nobby Clark.

Showing at Richmond Theatre Tue 3 Jun – Sat 7 Jun 2025.

Tickets are available at the link below
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/little-women/richmond-theatre/

Reviewed by Nina Gardner

Cast

Aunt March     Belinda Young
Marmee March             Honeysuckle Weeks
Brooke/Bhaer                Jack Ashton
Jo March                            Grace Malony
Theodore (Laurie) Lawrence                Cillian Lenaghan
Meg March                       Jade Kennedy
Beth March                      Catherine Chalk
Amy March                      Imogen Elliott
Cover                                   Ellie Pawsey
Cover                                  Claire Lee Shenfield
Cover                                   Jim Kelly

Creatives

Director              Loveday Ingram,
Writer                  Anne-Marie Casey
Designer            Ruari Murchison,
Lighting designer         Mike Robertson,
Composer and sound designer          Mathew Bugg,
Movement director    Mike Ashcroft.