Calling all StageSiders, welcome back to another review here at StageSideUK! Last night we headed straight into Concord, Massachusetts (via Darlington Hippodrome) for Anne-Marie Casey’s stage adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. A classic tale brought to life with wit, warmth, and a surprising amount of fire.
Disclaimer: I was gifted two free press tickets in exchange for an honest review of the show.
Little Women is one of those classic stories you think you know: the bickering sisters, the noble sacrifices, the heartbreaks that are guaranteed to loosen even the stiffest upper lip. But what makes this touring production sing is the way it balances period charm with sharp relevance. Jo’s battle to carve her own path, Amy’s vanity, Meg’s domestic hopes, and Beth’s quiet devotion all feel as relevant in 2025 as they did in Alcott’s 1860s. It scratched my feminist itch beautifully as a reminder that women carving space for their voices and choices has always been both radical and necessary.
First off…Christopher Columbus, what a cast! Jade Oswald, Jewelle Hutchinson, Natalie Dunn, and Megan Richards don’t just play the March sisters, they are the March sisters. They spark off each other with the kind of lived-in chaos that feels straight out of a family front room. Juliet Aubrey gives us a Marmee with steel in her spine and warmth in her eyes, while Belinda Lang is deliciously barbed as Aunt March and every arched eyebrow landed like a perfectly timed punchline. Elsewhere, Tom Richardson doubles up seamlessly as both the earnest Mr Brooke and the endearingly awkward Professor Bhaer, while Perry Williams makes for a charming Laurie.
Design-wise, the show keeps things deceptively simple. Shifts in light, sound, and a few key set pieces move us from parlour to ball to New York city without fuss. It’s minimal without being meagre, trusting the performances to fill the stage. Spoiler: they do… with gusto.
What stood out most for me was the ensemble’s chemistry. Too often period dramas can slip into stiff tableaux, but here the March household felt messy, alive, and real. Even the tender scenes with Jo’s writing, Beth’s piano, and Marmee’s quiet counsel carried a pulse that kept the audience locked in.
Accessibility:
Darlington Hippodrome is always a warm welcome, and the show itself keeps things gentle. No sudden bangs, no strobes, no nasty surprises. Just good old-fashioned storytelling that pulls you in rather than knocks you back. Perfect for all ages, whether you’re a seasoned theatre-goer or just tagging along with a friend.
Value for Money:
With tickets ranging between £17.50 and £44, this felt like remarkable value, especially when you get a production brimming with craft, care, and emotional punch. That’s a lot of bang for your buck.
This Little Women is not only faithful to Alcott’s beloved novel, it’s also bold enough to remind us why these stories endure. Funny, heartfelt, and beautifully performed, it’s the kind of show that lingers in your chest long after the curtain call. Capital, indeed!
Five shining stars from StageSideUK.
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Jonathan Harper