Little Women at the Oxford Playhouse Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Joanna Woodburn
There are some books which stay with you long after you have read them and Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel Little Women has always been one of my personal favourites. So, it was with anticipation and interest that I arrived at the Oxford Playhouse to see the new stage adaptation of this much beloved tale, which is now on a UK tour. And who else to take along with me to see my old friends the March sisters, on stage, than my very own sister – what could be more perfect!
Little Women was an instant success when published and went on to become one of the most popular and enduring novels of all time. Based on Alcott’s own early life experiences, Little Women tells the story of the March sisters, who despite their struggles in New England during the American Civil War remain utterly united and devoted to each other. Little Women is a coming-of-age novel of sisterly camaraderie, exploring the themes of ambitions, sacrifices, love and loss through everyday realistic experiences.
Adapted by Anne-Marie Casey and directed by Loveday Ingram, this production of Little Women is refreshingly faithful and respectful to the source material, closely following the novel’s storyline with warmth and simple honesty.
The performance opens with the sisters, Beth, Mary, Amy and Jo and their mother, Marmee, gathering around a beautiful piano in the family sitting room on Christmas Eve to sing the Civil War song, Glory, Glory, Hallelujah. This haunting moment juxtaposes with the jostling sisterly dynamics as the March girls joke and jibe with each other throughout the day, each sister being brought to life in a different way.
It is evident throughout that the impressively talented cast are full of passion and commitment about this production. All of the sisters are perfectly cast and work brilliantly and responsively together. Yet each sister is very much an individual, with her own story to tell. The action is fairly fast paced, with the rapidly changing family dynamics in this portrayed with expertise and great attention to detail.
The actors are such a closely knit and supportive group, working tremendously hard and with stand out performances all round that it is hard to mention individuals. Hats off though to Jim Kelly, who makes his professional stage debut as John Brooke/Bhaer and what a way to do so, effortlessly moving between the characters with stage presence and charisma. At the heart of the production, Grace Molony is wonderful as the iconic, feisty heroine, Jo March, with a performance full of warmth and joy.
The simple yet beautifully designed set is faithful to the original novel, cosy and comforting but for all that reassurance, we are never quite allowed to forget that throughout this story, there is a backdrop of conflict and anguish.
Little Women at the Oxford Playhouse – capturing all the essence of the original novel and packed full of emotion and charm, this is storytelling at its best and a pure joy from start to finish!
Rating: 4.5/5
Little Women is at the Oxford Playhouse from Tuesday 27th – Saturday 31st May 2025, for more information or to book tickets visit https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/little-women
or call the box office on 01865 305305
Beaumont Street, Oxfordshire, OX1 2LW