Laura Turner released Sense And Sensibility not only from the page, but from the proscenium arch.

Her adaptation of Jane Austen’s Regency romance in the open spaces of Field Place, was a breath of fresh air in a charming and humorous production by Chapterhouse Theatre.

The small company shared parts, skilfully swapping swords, sounds, shawls and steps to switch characters in seconds. 

Katherine Astbury verged on caricatures with her portrayal of the dreadful Fanny and the almost equally awful Charlotte, George Weightman made a dashing Willoughby, silent Palmer and helpless Dashwood and Graham Hill became a repentant Edward and kindly Sir John.

Paul Tonkin’s repressed, ‘elderly’ Colonel was perfect. Katy Helps was suitably mature as Elinor in contrast to Anna Simmon’s more reckless Marianne but Gemma Marsh ran away with the honours for her portrait of Margaret as a hilariously bolshy hoyden who charms Edward and Brandon, but managed to be simultaneously frightful as Lucy Steele.

Minimal props and staging managed to produce an illusion of great houses and small cottages with real grass and real music.

The actors played their own flute and violin in plangent accompaniment and conveyed a funeral and a wedding with perfect harmony.