With the impressive façade of a Grade II manor house as a backdrop, Butleigh was a fitting setting for the outdoor performance of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, which Chapterhouse Theatre Company performed with aplomb.

With few props, little sets and cleverly abridged passages, Chapterhouse reflected the major scenes, the plot and Austen's own comedic sense of humour.

The story reflects Austen's preoccupations with all the Regency priorities of match-making mammas, marriage, class, society, courtship and wealth.

Cleverly the stage had been split into two, the first set boasting the classic proportions of a Georgian multi-paned window and column to represent Norland with Regency-style furniture and liveried servants sipping from the crystal wine glasses behind the backs of the family.

To demonstrate the Dashwood family's lowering fortunes, the plot then switched to the smaller set, with cottage walls, simple rustic furniture and a lowly maid.

With the obligatory breeches, hessian boots, frock coats and bonnets, the stylish troupe entertained throughout. And hats off to this hard-working cast who admirably juggled different roles on stage as well as selling tickets and programmes to the audience.

Members also beautifully played on flute a section from Mozart's clarinet concerto to set the opening scene and sang an unaccompanied Ave Maria to the finale wedding scene.

Who could fail not to sympathise with poor Captain Brandon: declared old at 35, amused by the over-the-top antics of the Palmers, be saddened with Elinor at the apparent duplicity of her beau Edward Ferrars, or entertained by the moments of frivolity?

Certainly the vast majority of the audience were.

However it is worth noting the few people who were not so attentive. To those of you who did not notice whole rows of people turning round to stare at you after being distracted by your chattering and antics, perhaps you could next time stay at home and avoid other members of the audience having to ask you to keep your voices down.

I, for one, will be hoping they choose to go to the pub instead of attending the excellent Chapterhouse Theatre Company's next production in mid-Somerset, when they bring Elizabeth Gaskell's Cranford to Bishop's Palace, Wells, on August 19.

Emma Frampton