History is one of the most compelling subject to study. People are always longing to go back and relive the glory of what was. In particular, the period of British history where King George III fell and the regency of British royalty and people of esteemed class has continuously struck the chord of curiosity with people of all ages whether it be with the fairytale-like ball gowns or the never-ending parties.

I myself had a chance to be a part of this time period. Though I don’t own a time machine. And I certainly wasn’t born during this period. Instead, I saw the Indiana University’s Summer Theatre production of “Persuasion,” adapted by Jennifer Le Blanc.

As the multifaceted and ever intertwining love lives of the Elliot family played out, thanks to the black box style of theater, audience members took their place on …
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On July 17, 2017, student actors, alongside with their professional counterparts, gave a heart-wrenching, view of the unspoken feelings between exes who continue to feel a connection in “Persuasion,” at the Wells-Metz Theatre in Indiana University. This adaptation of Jane Austen’s 1817 novel by Jennifer Le Blanc focuses on the reunification of two past lovers who were once engaged. The people of the 19th century may have had different cultural influences, but this doesn’t mean they didn’t have their hearts broken the way we do.

The actors completely succeeded in physically representing a pain that is sometimes completely inexplicable. Every time Anne, played by Ashley Dillard, would be anywhere near her ex-fiance, Captain Wentworth, played by Grant Goodman, each actor’s facial expression alone was enough to make the audience feel utter sympathy for how much each character longed for the …
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Upper class society, a tale of love and loss, and a complicated family provide a hallmark for Jane Austen’s stories, and “Persuasion” is no exception.

The Indiana University Summer Theatre group’s production of this Austen classic accurately portrays the complicated romantic situations that many of the author’s classic characters tend to find themselves in. This version of the story was directed by Dale McFadden and adapted by Jennifer Le Blanc.

The story follows Anne Elliot, the forgotten daughter of an upper society man, in her journey to re-find love that was lost. Along the way she deals with jealousy, complicated family issues, and a scheming cousin.

Fans of Austen’s work may notice many similarities between themes and characters that fall in line with some of her other works such as “Pride and Prejudice”. Anne, like Elizabeth Bennet, is a forgotten child, who …
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Persuade, Persuasion, and Persuaded. All words frequently referenced by Jane Austen in her novel “Persuasion,” which in 2010 was adapted to the stage by Jennifer Le Blanc.

From the first moment the lights dimmed and the student and professional actors took the stage in the IU Wells-Metz Theatre, the world was seen through Jane Austen’s eyes, or Anne Elliot’s, the protagonist of this particular Austen story. Director Dale McFadden, made me feel I was living in the world of the peerage system myself, even if it was just for a short period of time.

Elliott is a woman dealing with heartbreak and loss, trying to find closure, but can’t let go of the past.

The themes of being persuaded are present throughout the play, and make one reflect on how often we are persuaded in aspects of life, like in Elliot’s …
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