Persuasion by Jane Austen

From the director who brought you our Webby Award Honouree audiobook podcast production of Pride and Prejudice comes our latest Jane Austen adaption. Our not-for-profit community at Ballarat National Theatre is excited to share Persuasion like you’ve never heard it before, with twenty actors bringing the characters to life, ambient sounds setting the scene and original music compositions to capture your heart and connect you to Austen’s own words. Join us each week as we release new chapters....

Welcome to Kellynch Hall, the ancestral manor of Sir Walter Elliot and the home of our forgotten and ignored heroine, Anne. Sir Walter, a vain and extravagant man, has found his spending has put them in a challenging financial position and our story begins with the Elliot's being forced to leave their home and rent it out to recoup costs. But it is not any ordinary tenant; it is someone connected to a name never forgotten by Anne, a love long since lost. Will this mean the chance of seeing hi...

Inspired by recent events, Anne looks back over the last few years, recalling how she once wished to marry the dashing Captain Wentworth yet was persuaded to give him up, resulting in his self-imposed exile. Time has provided Anne with wisdom over the event, particularly as she is still unattached. Anne’s youngest sister Mary reports feeling poorly and requests Anne’s company prior to journeying on to Bath. Whilst visiting her sister has its challenges, Anne makes some good-humoured new acqua...

Anne enjoys the refreshing company of her new friends, whilst observing her sister and her husband, Charles’ somewhat disorderly domesticity and, as usual, being overlooked other than to assist in resolving disputes. The dashing Captain Wentworth arrives to visit his sister, the new tenant of Kellynch Hall, resulting in he and Anne meeting for the first time since the dissolution of their engagement. How does his renewed presence impact Anne – and is the love they once shared truly extinguish...

The tension in the air whenever Anne and Captain Wentworth are in each other’s presence could be cut with a knife, not that anyone else is paying attention to Anne. All the ladies are enamoured by him and hope that he will pursue a suit for one of them. Alas other men currently pursuing the Musgrove girls are put out at this supposed new competition. Wentworth finally notices Anne, coming to her rescue from the rambunctious actions of her nephew. Why does this affect Anne so? We hope you en...

Mary’s inability to read the room continues as she invites herself on a walk with the Musgrove girls, Anne and Captain Wentworth. Louisa is a terrible flirt and her impropriety leads to idle and potentially damaging gossip being revealed to Captain Wentworth about Anne. An opportunity to visit the stunning seaside town of Lyme provides a much needed intermission to the somewhat claustrophobic environment of Mary and Charles’ home at Uppercross. There, Anne finds she is able to be of assistanc...

Competition does wonders for reflecting on what might have been as Wentworth observes another man noticing Anne. The Elliot’s cousin, and heir to Kellynch Hall, has coincidentally arrived in Lyme and is staying at the same hotel as the Uppercross party. Having previously rejected the Baronetage, and a family plan to engage him to Anne’s sister Elizabeth, his estrangement from the Elliot’s is still raw for Anne. However, opportunities arise for conversation and clearing of air. Girlish tomfool...

Whilst her sister and brother-in-law remain in Lyme, Anne visits her friend and mentor, Lady Russell. Despite a strained start, the women are able to converse more freely, with Anne revealing her suspicious that Captain Wentworth is attached to Louisa Musgrove. A visit by the duo to the tenants of Kellynch Hall reminds Anne of what her father’s hubris has lost them, and she is also informed that Captain Wentworth has been speaking of her. The return of Mary and her family to Uppercross fills ...

Anne’s presence in Bath has little impact on her father, Sir Walter, and eldest sister Elizabeth, who have been enjoying the faster pace of the city. Anne finds a reinvigorated Mr Elliot who has renewed his intentions to respect and fulfill his aristocratic duties, much to Sir Walter’s pleasure and he appears exceedingly attentive to Anne. Sir Walter’s companion, Mrs Clay, is invited to stay longer despite Anne’s arrival, sparking rumours of an inappropriate attachment. Elizabeth and Si...

Anne’s time in Bath is improved by the discovery that an old school friend, Mrs Smith (nee Hamilton), lives in town, however, she is shocked at her old friend’s living situation, a consequence of extravagance and the early death of her husband. Despite her lower station in life, Anne chooses to regularly visit her friend, eschewing more socially acceptable invitations, much to the chagrin of her social climbing family. Lady Russell forms an opinion of Mr Elliot’s intentions yet Anne remains u...

Bath is a buzz with the gossip of an impending proposal, but the future bride appears unaware, instead being focused on the arrival of her past paramour. Anne’s family continues to make social faux pas by ignoring the newly arrived Captain Wentworth, in a reigniting of conditions that caused Anne to break their engagement eight years prior. Mrs Smith has heard the gossip around town and cryptically comments to Anne on her perception of the impact on their renewed friendship. Italian Opera pro...

We're nominated in the Webby Awards and you can vote for us until April 17. Find out how here: https://bnt.org.au/news Following the opera, Anne visits her childhood friend, Mrs Smith, who has already heard reports of the evening and is eager to hear Anne’s version of events. Mrs Smith believes Anne to be in love and seeks assurance that despite her soon to be raising in rank that Anne will not forget her. Anne’s confusion leads Mrs Smith to reveal her previous connections with the source of...

Anne is visited by the man Mrs Smith revealed as the source of her husband’s demise and determines that she can no longer entertain his company. Her sister, Mary and her husband Charles arrive for a surprise visit and the impending marriage of friends, a true love match, is admired, particularly the support of the parents in promoting happiness over personal ambition. The group argue over where to go in the evening and despite Anne vocalising her wish to attend a play, it is decided that they...

Duty to one’s family and to one’s heart is on the line as final declarations of intent and love are made. A letter slipped covertly into a palm features a renewed declaration of constant, undying love. Air is cleared and the pride that kept lovers apart is thrown away; both parties feel that in finding their way to each other, they are happier than they deserve. Lady Russell comes to terms with Anne choosing for herself whilst Elizabeth’s remains on the marriage market. Mrs Clay’s designs on ...