A Lesbian Love Story

I Know My Own Heart – Pride Films & Plays

At the age of 50, Irish-born Canadian novelist, short story writer, screenwriter and playwright Emma Donoghue is finally having her first theatrical drama premiered in the United States. Ms. Donoghue’s name may be familiar to some theatergoers as the author of the novel, and subsequent Oscar-nominated screenplay, for Room. She’s a prolific writer of various genres, whose works often explore the sometimes unnamed, hidden love between gay women. In this play, Donoghue was inspired by the secret coded diaries of early nineteenth century gentlewoman, Anne Lister.

Miss Lister, who was nicknamed Gentleman Jack by her less liberal neighbors and residents of Halifax, had a masculine appearance, a fondness for dressing all in black and wearing gentlemen’s boots and top hats. Anne was an educated, well-read young woman who lived at, and ultimately inherited, her Aunt and Uncle’s estate, called Shibden Hall, in West Yorkshire, England. Miss Lister was particularly fond of classical literature claiming, in her journal, that her personal library was her greatest pleasure. But Anne Lister was also gay, a lifestyle that, at the time, was a tightly-kept secret and severely frowned upon if discovered.

Condensing the characters in Anne’s life to just four females, Emma Donoghue centers her two-act play around Miss Lister’s infatuation with a lovely neighbor girl, Marianne Belcombe. After a period of flirtation and courtship, the two create their own private lesbian wedding ceremony, after which they considered themselves secretly married to each other. However, in order for the lovers to be together more often, Marianne ironically decides to accept the proposal of the unseen Mr. Lawton. She marries him and moves to his estate, away from the constant surveillance of her mother. Lawton, who’s considerably older, permits Anne to often visit his wife, entertaining her while staying in their home for days at a time. 

However, Anne eventually grows restless and tired of playing house with Marianne; she begins to look for other female intrigues elsewhere. In Donoghue’s play, Miss Lister gives in to the seduction by her lifetime friend, Tib, as well as to the envious romantic interests of Marianne’s sister, Nancy. However, none of these relationships proves as strong or meaningful as Anne’s love for Marianne, even after she becomes pregnant with Mr. Lawton’s first child.

This nineteenth century love story is carefully directed by Elizabeth Swanson in a fine, concise and well-staged chamber production. Her presentation is intimate and carefully guided, thanks to the tasteful intimacy choreography provided by Sarah Scanlon. Ms. Swanson keeps her play moving with little excess or unimportant elements to character development or plot. With just a simple suggestion of scenery, various locales in this play are created through simple lighting and sound design by Blake Cordell. Rachel M. Sypniewski has supplied the necessary color and texture for this production, providing an impressive array of Regency Era costumes for her ladies that add volumes of detail for each character.

Although all four actresses are newcomers to the Pride Films & Plays family, the cast is uniformly terrific. Beginning with Vahishta Vafadari as Anne Lister, this production has a dynamo in its leading character. Petite, yet as powerful as anyone you could imagine, Ms. Vafadari commands the stage. She’s just as comfortable breaking the fourth wall and speaking directly to the audience as she is popping back into the scene to confront or cajole her acting partner. In addition, Vahishta is also the dialect coach for this production, beautifully instructing her costars how to clearly speak with a Yorkshire accent, without letting that element rule their performances. 

Eleanor Katz is especially strong and determined as Tib, Anne’s longtime friend who’s been pining forever for her love. She works hard not to wear her heart on her sleeve, but Tib’s emotional pain is too difficult to mask. This is an actress to watch. Pretty Lauren Grace Thompson, who may be remembered for her strong performance in Lifeline Theatre’s recent production of “Frankenstein,” is, at first, girlish and giddy as Marianne. She blossoms during the early flirtation scenes and flourishes as she and Anne consummate their love. Ultimately Marianne grows into a woman after her marriage to Mr. Lawton. And, as Nancy, Marianne’s younger sister, Jessie Ellingsen is properly coquettish and endearing, subtly portraying a young girl whose jealousy of her sister’s romance drives her to lure Anne to her own bed.

In a polished, surprisingly provocative production, Emma Donoghue’s US theatrical premiere has been beautifully directed in Chicago by Elizabeth Swanson and stunningly enacted by a cast of four talented young actresses. Don’t let the label “a lesbian love story” keep you away. This is a well-made story for everyone, about an individual who was simply way ahead of her time. Miss Lister was a tower of strength who knew her own mind. She recognized the power of good literature and valued a sound, well-rounded education, just as highly as being true to herself. Anne Lister, an early pioneer of the LGBT movement, lived during the time of Jane Austen, and felt the importance of knowing her own heart.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas            

Presented January 10-February 10 by Pride Films & Plays, at The Buena, 4147 N. Broadway, Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling either 866-811-4111 or 773-857-0222 or by going to www.pridefilmsandplays.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.