The world premiere of Ava Pickett’s new adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma come to Rose Theatre.
In celebration of the 250th anniversary year of Jane Austen’s birth, one of Britain’s most beloved novelists, the Rose Theatre, Kingston present the world premiere of Ava Pickett’s (1536) new adaptation of Emma, the timeless story of romance, friendship, and the tricky business of figuring out what truly makes us happy.
Directed by Rose Theatre’s Artistic Director Christopher Haydon (Never Let Me Go; The Caucasian Chalk Circle; Grounded), this new staging swaps drawing room duets for dance floor-fillers, bringing Emma’s matchmaking and mischief into the 21st century for longtime fans of Austen’s story and new audiences alike.
The cast includes Amelia Kenworthy (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) as Emma Woodhouse, Kit Young (Shadow and Bone; ALIEN:Earth) as George Knightley, Nigel Lindsay (Kiss Me Kate; Four Lions) as Mr. Woodhouse, and Lucy Benjamin (EastEnders; Detectorists) as Mrs. Bates, with Josh Bilyard as Rob Martin, Jessica Brindle (Top Girls at NT) as Isabella Woodhouse, Bobby Lockwood (The Outpost; Wolfblood) as Elton, Sofia Oxenham (Poldark; Extraordinary) as Harriet Smith, and Adrian Richards (A Midsummer Night’s Dream at RSC; Noises Off! in West End) as John Knightley.
The creative team joining Pickett and Haydon includes Lily Arnold (Set & Costume Designer), Kloé Dean (Movement Director), Philip Gladwell (Lighting Designer), Kieran Lucas (Composer & Sound Designer), Haruka Kuroda (Intimacy & Fight Director), Juliet Horsley CDG (Casting Director), Claudette Williams (Voice & Dialect Coach), and Melissa Mowry (Associate Director – Drama League Rose Directing Fellow).
Emma runs at the Rose Theatre in South West London 17 September – 11 October 2025.
What is Emma about?
This irresistible new adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic rom-com swaps drawing room duets for dance floor-fillers, taking audiences on a ride of matchmaking and mischief that ignites laughter and warms the heart.
Emma Woodhouse thinks she has it all figured out.
Fresh from Oxford University and back in her hometown for the summer, Emma is ready to do what she does best: sort out everyone else’s lives, whether they like it or not.
Her closest friend Harriet is a total dating disaster, her father keeps disappearing on mysterious errands, and George Knightley refuses to stop pointing out the flaws in her flawless plans. But Emma knows best… right?
Join us as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth with this timeless story of romance, friendship, and the tricky business of figuring out what truly makes us happy.
