Creative new take on Jane Austen classic

The Sense and Sensibility ensemble

Eight actors are set to take the stage at Tuggerah’s Red Tree Theatre in September to bring one of Jane Austen’s most loved pieces to life.

Salt House Creative will present Sense and Sensibility With 8 Actors and a Door – eight actors wearing blacks and using a single prop (a door) to tell the classic tale.

The unique, fast-paced and comically energetic interpretation has been imagined by Salt House Creative Artistic Director Daniel Widdowson.

The ensemble includes Widdowson, Sophie Booth, Emily Gobbe, Jayden Gobbe, Jordan Blake Blundell, Ethan Dale, Jane Sackman and Isabelle O’Brien.

Widdowson is an Australian of the Year finalist, an Australia Playwright finalist and recipient of the Best Director award at the Florence Film Awards and Best Screenplay at the New York Film Awards.

He serves as an ambassador for the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation and has received the Collins Booksellers Arts Award.

He is the longest-running male host of the high rating children’s TV show Saturday Disney (2000-2007).

While at Network 7, Widdowson joined the writing team for Home and Away, presented the backyard renovation show Ground Force and performed at the Melbourne and Perth annual telethons.

His controversial black comedy about the global refugee crisis, Worm Farming, premiered at the National Museum of Australia in 2017.

The play’s success prompted him to join the Australian Writers’ Guild, where he now serves as a judging panel member.

Widdowson has written more than 30 original stage plays which are freely available for schools and community across Australia.

His acting credits include Last King of the Cross, Colin From Accounts, Reef Break and Royal Fling Doctor Service and later this year he will be seen in Total Control Season 3 as well as the new Australian drama Strife.

Stage credits include Henry V, Pride and Prejudice, The Tragedy of Doctor Faustus and most recently The Sound of Music at Red Tree.

Widdowson holds a doctorate in Creative Arts focussing on Shakespearean literature and theology.

He is also a Bachelor of Theology.

All profits from the production will go the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation.

Founded by the author’s niece, Jane Knight, the not for profit organisation connects a world-wide community of people who believe in the power of literacy.

Sense and Sensibility with 8 Actors and a Door will be performed at the Red Tree Theatre at 2pm and 7pm on Saturday, September 30.

Bookings can be made at /redtreetheatre.org.au

Source:
Salt House Creative