EMMA

In celebration of the 250^th anniversary year of Jane Austen’s birth, one of Britain’s most beloved novelists, the Rose Theatre has announced the full cast and creative team for 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, 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.

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?

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, playing at the Rose Theatre from 17 September - 11 October 2025.

Tickets are on sale now

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