This fall, Gorham High School will present “Sense and Sensibility,” a play by Kate Hamill, based on a novel by Jane Austen. The play, directed by Josie Tierney-Fife, is focused around the Dashwood family, love triangles, and many conflicts.
The Dashwood family consists of Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor, Marianne, Margaret, and John Willoughby, who is the half-brother of the Dashwood daughters.
The main characters are sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. Elinor is played by sophomore Julia Ordway and Marianne is played by freshman Madeline Downey.
“The title ‘Sense and Sensibility’ comes from the two sisters. Elinor represents the sense portion of it. She is very reserved and keeps her emotions inside,” said junior Emily Paruk, who plays Ms. Dashwood in the play.
“Marianne represents the sensibility portion of the title because she is not afraid to show how she feels,” said Paruk.
Photo credit Emily CrepeauThe cast of Gorham High School’s fall play “Sense and Sensibility.”
Audience members should expect to be entertained. It showcases a lot of love and all the drama that comes with that love.
“There is something in here for everyone. You get the rom-com feeling, humor, and action,” said sophomore Annikka Mocciola, who plays Margaret Dashwood in the play.
“Also, Jane Austen threw in different Easter eggs of other characters from previous Jane Austen novels. If you listen hard enough, you get little snippets of Elizabeth Bennet from ‘Pride and Prejudice.’”
All of the characters in the play are unique in their own way. “Margaret Dashwood, the youngest sister, is very enthusiastic. Fanny Dashwood, the Dashwood sister’s sister-in law, is very stuck-up. There are also the fun neighbors Mrs. Jennings and Sir John, who love to gossip,” said Mocciola.
The production takes place at GHS’ McCormick Performing Arts Center on Friday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 17, at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults.