George Eliot Play: Daughterly Dissent in 1840s Coventry

The Hampstead Theatre presents a new play by Alexi Kaye Campbell, delving into the formative years of Mary Ann Evans, the future George Eliot, in 1840s Coventry. Elizabeth Dulau portrays the young Evans in her twenties, living with her father, Robert, played by Owen Teale. The narrative highlights the burgeoning feminist consciousness and ideological rift between daughter and father, particularly concerning Evans's departure from conventional religious interpretations.

This conflict escalates when Evans announces she will no longer attend church with her father, leading to her expulsion from their Coventry home, Bird Grove. The production, directed by Anna Ledwich, balances serious drama with moments of humor, including a comical subplot involving a marriage proposal from Horace Garfield. The play also features the free-thinking Bray couple and a mesmerist, though these characters serve primarily as facilitators for Evans's ambitions.

While the play captures the essence of Evans's journey towards becoming a pioneering literary figure, it takes creative liberties with historical facts. For instance, Eliot was not literally cast out by her father, nor was the inheritance issue a direct act of revenge. Despite these adjustments, the production is lauded for its delicate emotional power and Dulau's strong central performance. The stage design by Sarah Beaton offers a unique, abstract representation of the Evans's Georgian household, blending naturalism with surreal elements, such as a brief appearance by Dorothea from Middlemarch to inspire her creator.