The Watsons
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What happens when the writer loses the plot? Emma Watson is 19 and new in town, cut off by her rich aunt and unceremoniously dumped back in the family home. Emma and her sisters must marry, and fast. If they don’t, they face poverty, spinsterhood, or worse: an eternity with their boorish brother and his awful wife. Luckily, there are plenty of potential suitors to dance with, from the flirtatious Tom Musgrave to the dashing Lord Osborne, who's as awkward as he is rich. So far, so familiar to every Austen fan.
But there's a problem: Jane Austen didn't finish the story. Who will write Emma's happy ending now? Playful, inventive and a little bonkers THE WATSONS looks under the bonnet of classic literature and asks what characters do when their author abandons them? The answers are funny, metatheatrical, quirky, philosophical, moving and surprisingly contemporary.
British playwright Laura Wade, known for her sharp wit and innovative storytelling (most notably with the Olivier Award-winning HOME, I'M DARLING), brings a unique contemporary lens to the beloved world of Jane Austen. THE WATSONS reimagines the incomplete narrative of Emma Watson and her family, exploring the suffocating expectations of class and gender roles and uncovering some surprising revelations of what happens when you bring a 19th-century story into the 21st century. Much celebrated for its humour and ingenuity THE WATSONS is a thought-provoking examination of agency, authorship and adaptation.
Curtin’s award-winning director Leah Mercer brings her keen artistic vision to this production. “THE WATSONS is a brilliant play: funny, smart and super theatrical,” says Mercer. “In 2025, the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth, our talented company are excited to dive into her world and bring this utterly entertaining play to life. The production showcases the exceptional talent of Curtin’s Theatre Arts students, both on and off stage, and audiences can expect a professional and engaging theatrical experience.”
Join Curtin Theatre Arts at the Hayman Theatre for THE WATSONS, a fresh and funny perspective on a literary classic!
Cast:
Emma Watson- Sarah Patroni
Elizabeth Watson- Chloe Hill
Margaret Watson- Lauren Westphal-Groves
Mr Robert Watson- Rhys Healy
Mrs Mary Watson- Isla Simeoni
Nanny- Topaz Knodel
Mr Watson- Kailem Mollard
Laura- Lucy Coates
Tom Musgrave- Simon Edge
Lord Henry Osborne- Conor Flint
Lady Olivia Osborne- Sian Griffiths
Miss Osborne- Bec Moore
Mr Howard- Sky Kay
Charles- Oliver Laurent
Mrs Edwards- Aleena Shaji
Mr Edwards- Jarrad Whitehurst
Officer Bertie- Sam Nichols
Officer- Harper Freeman
Captain Beresford- Harry Spackman
Crew-
Director- Leah Mercer
Stage Manager- Ciedele Mezger
Deputy Stage Manager- Harper Freeman
Assistant Stage Manager- Jarrad Whitehurst, Sam Nichols, Harry Spackman
Lighting Designer- Lee Butterfield
Lighting Assistant- Alex Kuncoro
Sound Designer- Lloyd Ward
Set Designer/ Production Manager- Stephen Carr
Set Assistant- Kailem Mollard
Costume Designer- Kiri Siva
Costume Assistant- Tasha Fraser, Kirra Francis, Emilia Malinovic
Get Tickets
But there's a problem: Jane Austen didn't finish the story. Who will write Emma's happy ending now? Playful, inventive and a little bonkers THE WATSONS looks under the bonnet of classic literature and asks what characters do when their author abandons them? The answers are funny, metatheatrical, quirky, philosophical, moving and surprisingly contemporary.
British playwright Laura Wade, known for her sharp wit and innovative storytelling (most notably with the Olivier Award-winning HOME, I'M DARLING), brings a unique contemporary lens to the beloved world of Jane Austen. THE WATSONS reimagines the incomplete narrative of Emma Watson and her family, exploring the suffocating expectations of class and gender roles and uncovering some surprising revelations of what happens when you bring a 19th-century story into the 21st century. Much celebrated for its humour and ingenuity THE WATSONS is a thought-provoking examination of agency, authorship and adaptation.
Curtin’s award-winning director Leah Mercer brings her keen artistic vision to this production. “THE WATSONS is a brilliant play: funny, smart and super theatrical,” says Mercer. “In 2025, the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth, our talented company are excited to dive into her world and bring this utterly entertaining play to life. The production showcases the exceptional talent of Curtin’s Theatre Arts students, both on and off stage, and audiences can expect a professional and engaging theatrical experience.”
Join Curtin Theatre Arts at the Hayman Theatre for THE WATSONS, a fresh and funny perspective on a literary classic!
Cast:
Emma Watson- Sarah Patroni
Elizabeth Watson- Chloe Hill
Margaret Watson- Lauren Westphal-Groves
Mr Robert Watson- Rhys Healy
Mrs Mary Watson- Isla Simeoni
Nanny- Topaz Knodel
Mr Watson- Kailem Mollard
Laura- Lucy Coates
Tom Musgrave- Simon Edge
Lord Henry Osborne- Conor Flint
Lady Olivia Osborne- Sian Griffiths
Miss Osborne- Bec Moore
Mr Howard- Sky Kay
Charles- Oliver Laurent
Mrs Edwards- Aleena Shaji
Mr Edwards- Jarrad Whitehurst
Officer Bertie- Sam Nichols
Officer- Harper Freeman
Captain Beresford- Harry Spackman
Crew-
Director- Leah Mercer
Stage Manager- Ciedele Mezger
Deputy Stage Manager- Harper Freeman
Assistant Stage Manager- Jarrad Whitehurst, Sam Nichols, Harry Spackman
Lighting Designer- Lee Butterfield
Lighting Assistant- Alex Kuncoro
Sound Designer- Lloyd Ward
Set Designer/ Production Manager- Stephen Carr
Set Assistant- Kailem Mollard
Costume Designer- Kiri Siva
Costume Assistant- Tasha Fraser, Kirra Francis, Emilia Malinovic
Get Tickets
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