A joy to revisit this celebration of sisterhood

THE presence of numerous youngsters at the opening night of Little Women is a tribute to how well loved Louisa May Alcott’s biographical novel remains more than a century after its publication in 1868.

- Jackie Chappell

And now this new production written by Anne-Marie Casey and directed by Loveday Ingram about the lives of four sisters is a further delight.

Its portrayal of the girls as they grow, squabble and pursue their dreams against a background of poverty and the American Civil War is brought to life on stage with warmth and humour.

The focus is on Jo (Natalie Dunne), the boyish one who wants to become a writer, furious at society's expectations of women. Her older sister Meg (Jade Oswald) is quieter with dreams that are closer to home. Amy (Jewelle Hutchinson), also feisty and the only sister at school, rages against being a younger sibling, while Beth (Megan Richards) is the much-loved, frail youngest.