Welcome to Little Women!

The honest truth is that it was not my plan to do this play with the Acting Company this year. I had grand plans for another piece, which we briefly workshopped and worked on together, before the mutiny began… I was subsequently lobbied with great fervour to change course, and the case was made very persuasively that we should do Little Women instead. The Greta Gerwig film version had stirred the minds of the students in quite an impactful way and they were deeply inspired – who am I to argue with that? I am still yet to see the film, much to the students’ frustration.

Anyway, it is quite fitting really that the genesis of this production was in fact the collective efforts of a strong-minded and assertive group of young women! And they have proven to be all that and more in the rehearsal process, which has been collaborative, professional and a lot of fun.

The play is beautiful and I think really carries the warmth and heart of the novel. It isn’t as much a plot as it is a catalogue of stories and moments and memories in the lives of these people, with all the enriching and exhausting chapters that life throws at us. They laugh, fight, love, lose, grieve – and through it all remain unified by the steadfast bond of sisterhood and family.

If being a Downe House girl means taking on the world with a big heart and a firm set of values, then I feel confident that you will be inspired by our Little Women on stage today.

Enjoy the show!

Mr Rob Castell
Director of Performing Arts

Synopsis

Romantic Meg. Shy Beth. Wilful Amy. And of course, passionate and fiery Jo. Little Women tells the story of the March sisters growing up in genteel poverty against the backdrop of the American Civil War.

Emma Reeves’ acclaimed adaptation of the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott was first performed at the Lilian Baylis Theatre in 2002 and revived at the Duchess Theatre in 2024.

Rehearsal Photographs

Thanks

Huge thanks to the Eton College Drama Department, the Downe House AV Team, Marketing Team, Josephine Cull, Nat Bloor, Matt Godfrey & all Performing Arts Department staff. 

Credits

This amateur production of “Little Women – Reeves” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. www.concordtheatricals.co.uk