Persuasion

Jeff James’s banging modern-day take on Jane Austen’s last finished novel featured blaring pop tunes and modern dress and scored great reviews when it ran at the Royal Exchange in Manchester way back in 2017. Presumably the pandemic may have delayed this transfer and tour, but whatever the reason, ‘Persuasion’ is here. For those only familiar with ‘Pride & Prejudice’, it’s the story of Anne Elliot, whose is persuaded to break off her engagement to Frederick Wentworth at the age of 19; fast forward and she’s an old maid of 27 (this was 1818 yeah) and he’s still single when their paths cross again.