What a huge pleasure it was to enter the Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington in anticipation of seeing live theatre after being starved of culture during the pandemic of 2020.

LAC opened its doors for the second time this summer. Firstly, to host its hugely popular Summer Art School and 3 weekends of a well organised and socially distanced Fine Art and Sculpture exhibition.

Secondly, to offer local resident and well-known actor, Amanda Root, the opportunity of producing a work recently rediscovered at the British Museum and republished in 2019.

The 3 episodes chosen for this performance were well-known scenes form Pride and Prejudice and Emma, arguably two of Austen's most popular novels. The Playing Jane Company, formed by Director, Amanda Root, for this special performance were all professional actors, many well-known from stage and screen, that live locally or she had worked with on previous projects.

All generously performed for free as their contribution to the Landmark's much needed Emergency Fundraising Appeal.

Appropriate music was provided on cello by Norman Starritt (Friday) and Julian Ogilvie (Saturday) as the cast entered and circled around the acting area. As an introduction to each scene Amanda Root articulated Filippi's theories on acting and how performances should take place, 'holding a mirror up to nature'.

The Proposal of Mr Collins, taken from Pride and Prejudice, is an episode that can never be forgotten. Mr Collins believes that no sensible girl needing to make a comfortable marriage could possibly reject his offer, but this is exactly what strong and independent minded Eliza Bennet does, not once but three times.

Mrs Bennett, frantic to get her brood of five daughters well-settled, is furious with Elizabeth and we are left in no doubt that she will feel the lash of her mother's tongue when Mr Collins retires with hurt pride.

Tim McMullan was Mr Collins personified, his long legs bending at the knee as he wheedled his way around the room after his prey. Ingenue Kate Chambers ably countered his advances, showing her character's strong personality. Julia Webber was very much in command as the agitated and anxious Mrs B.

The second scene, The Reading of Jane Fairfax's Letter from Emma, was a tour de force by Felicity Duncan who had the difficult task of portraying the garrulous Miss Bates scarcely drawing breath between delivering one piece of news and the next to Emma and her elderly mother, played by Rebecca Cardinali.

Gaia Mondadori, as Emma Woodhouse delightfully let it be known to us how tiresome she finds her and can hardly contain herself long enough to hear the end of the letter.

In the final scene we returned to Pride and Prejudice to witness Lady Catherine's Visit to the Bennet home where she interrogates Elizabeth about the rumour that she has accepted a proposal of marriage from Mr Darcy.

Lady Catherine de Burgh has always intended Mr Darcy as her own daughter's husband and is not prepared to have her plans thwarted by a young woman whose social and relatives' status is so well below that of her own.

Elizabeth stands her own ground showing the strong mindedness that she showed to Mr Collins. Lady Catherine was powerfully played by Abigail Cruttenden with haughty disdain for the task in hand. Kate Chambers once again gave us a spirited performance as Elizabeth.

Beautifully costumed by wardrobe mistresses from Teddington Theatre Club and furnished and propped by local friends, the production was played in the round with the audience seated at socially distanced tables, this was an evening of pure pleasure.

It was warmly applauded by a very appreciative audience.

Amanda Root, and all involved at the Landmark, are to be congratulated for bringing us such an enterprising endeavour. Heartiest thanks you to you all.