St. Joseph presents an inspiring, entertaining production of Sense & Sensibility

Published May 24, 2025

Last updated May 24, 2025

12 minute read

Anna Mansfield (left) as Elinor Dashwood, Talia Daigle as Marianne Dashwood, Brooklyn Helem (standing) as Margaret Dashwood, Emma Hebert as Mrs. Dashwood and Sammy O’Connor (right) as John Willoughby during St. Joseph High School’s Cappies production of Sense & Sensibility on April 25. 2025. Photo by Isabella Ghattas /StudentArticle content

Show #19
St. Joseph High School
Sense & Sensibility
Director: Sarah Jennings

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Helen Rochon, Critic
All Saints High School

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Knowing who you can trust is no simple matter, especially in a society where your every move is watched, and gossip spreads fast. The students of St. Joseph High School navigated the complexities of love and betrayal in an inspiring production of Sense & Sensibility.

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A classic novel by Jane Austen published in 1811, and later an award-winning film, Sense & Sensibility has remained a beloved story for generations due to its impactful themes of women’s lives at the time. It follows the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, after the untimely death of their father strips the family of affluence. As the young women search for understanding in a realm of judgement, they find themselves facing the cruelty of romance in a world full of decorous expectations.

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St. Joseph’s retelling walked the line between comedy and drama, blending emotional depth with polished comedic physicality. Expressive acting and well-portrayed character transformations alongside superb technical aspects made the cast and crew’s dedication evident.

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Anna Mansfield (left) as Elinor Dashwood, Talia Daigle (centre) as Marianne Dashwood, Finley Henderson (right) as Edward Ferrars during St. Joseph High School’s Cappies production of Sense & Sensibility on April 25. 2025. Photo by Isabella Ghattas /StudentArticle content

Anna Mansfield brought the prim disposition of Elinor Dashwood to life with a gradual but effective buildup of emotional turmoil, coming to fruition in a profoundly delivered monologue. Mansfield balanced the stoic composure of Elinor, while still making the character’s internal struggles apparent through adept acting. Elinor’s agony in both caring for a forlorn Marianne whilst holding independent burdens of her own shone in Mansfield’s performance. Passionately defiant of societal norms, Talia Daigle captured the unconventional spirit of Elinor’s younger sister, Marianne Dashwood. Daigle showcased remarkable range by presenting an enthusiastic girl new to love, and later taking over the stage with gut-wrenching sobs. In moments of despair, Marianne’s hysterics were conveyed realistically, making Daigle’s enactment of the role’s intensity outstanding.

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Nosaze Osaze channeled Sir John Middleton with vivacity, confidently delivering lines with flamboyant charm. Osaze brought high energy to the play either while speaking, or even just interacting with others in the background of scenes. Similarly, Kyleigh Seymour stood out with an engaging presence as Anne Steele, who constantly joined others’ conversations, with spirited laughter that embodied the essence of an eager and intrusive younger sister.

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The technical aspects of this production were purposeful, all having a significant impression on the show’s dynamics. The Austen Architects (set team) made creative use of stage space through the use of a tall backdrop depicting landscape and cloudy sky, while four large, painted window frames on wheels were cleverly rotated to differentiate indoor and outdoor scenes. A particularly ingenious moment included half the set as the interior of the Dashwood’s cottage, while the next two windows were turned and pushed back to represent the building’s exterior. Here the lighting came in to separate the two atmospheres further. Use of colour and light was masterfully employed by the Hall of Candles (lighting team) to enhance the tone of any given scene. Vivid hues of pink, red, and blue washed over the set amplified the characters’ emotions, enriching the impact of key scenes. Warm yellow lights behind the set created the feeling of sunrise and represented time passing, and sharp flashes cut erratically across the space during violent thunderstorms, adding a dynamic that heightened the drama of the tale.

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St. Joseph High School’s Sense & Sensibility delivered the message that nothing is certain, but love can always be found even in desperate situations. This thought-provoking production was a beautiful rendition of a meaningful story.

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Samuel Kholsa, Critic
Colonel By Secondary School

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A delicate balance between prudence and passion is essential. The fascinating tension between these two was explored in St. Joseph High School’s magnificent performance of Sense & Sensibility.

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Based on the classic novel by Jane Austen, Sense & Sensibility follows sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood as they navigate love, heartbreak, and societal expectations. The play is set in Regency-era England, where new gossip becomes common knowledge within hours. Elinor, being the more sensible of the two, takes a liking to Edward Ferrars, who is awkward yet very kind. Meanwhile, the fiery Marianne must decide between the dashing John Willoughby and the respectable Colonel Brandon.

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Talia Daigle’s spectacular depiction of Marianne was unforgettable and a clear highlight of the show. With expressive, larger-than-life movements, Daigle conveyed the character’s vivacity and maintained an engrossing stage presence. Daigle’s versatility was on display through clean transitions from effervescence to utter despair. In these tumultuous scenes, Daigle’s pained gasps, voice cracks, and distraught facial expressions were highly realistic and effective in conveying Marianne’s agony.

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Talia Daigle as Marianne Dashwood (L) and Anna Mansfield as Elinor Dashwood (R) during St. Joseph High School’s Cappies production of Sense & Sensibility on April 25. 2025. Photo by Isabella Ghattas /StudentArticle content

Anna Mansfield was excellent in the role of Elinor Dashwood, successfully demonstrating Elinor’s internal conflict between remaining proper and expressing emotion. This was initially done through decorous hand gestures—one hand gracefully resting on the other—alongside an upright posture and subtle facial expressions. However, as the play progressed, Mansfield demonstrated the character yielding to emotion. In these moments, Mansfield proved to be tremendously versatile, using an impassioned voice and heartbreaking sobs to convey distress. On top of this, both Mansfield and Daigle maintained consistent and accurate English accents throughout the whole show.

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The supporting and featured actors were also exceptional. Finley Henderson as Edward Ferrars perfectly captured the awkwardness of the character with a hesitant gait and an earnest yet troubled demeanor. Henderson’s strong British accent helped enhance the comic nature of the character. In the role of another bachelor, Sammy O’Connor delivered an unforgettable portrayal of John Willoughby. With a puffed-out chest and dazzling confidence, O’Connor commanded attention in a manner that was highly appropriate for the character. Yet O’Connor was also capable of suggesting the existence of Willoughby’s darker side, for instance by guiltily glancing away in the face of an accusation.

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The technical aspects of the show were precise, intricate, and exceedingly well thought-out. The lighting adapted to each scene, for example by smoothly shifting to pink in a romantic scene or to blue in a sad one. In several scenes, the lights were magnificently manipulated to create the effect of a rainstorm. Makeup and costumes were well-suited to match the personality of each character. For instance, Daigle wore radiant rouge and a bright blue dress to show Marianne’s exuberance. This differed from Mansfield, who wore subtler makeup and a more muted purple dress, thus keeping consistent with Elinor’s relative modesty.

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With fantastic acting talent and sophisticated technical elements, St. Joseph High School’s production of Sense & Sensibility was extremely entertaining.

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Sadie Hanley, Critic
Elmwood School

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Should love be characterized by passion and spontaneity or responsibility and care? Or, can both romance and reason be important? Through their exploration of this timeless dilemma, the cast and crew of St. Joseph High School brought passion, wit, and drama to its scandalous production of Sense & Sensibility.

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In this adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel of the same name, Sense & Sensibility follows young sisters, Marianne and Elinor Dashwood, as they navigate their way through the complexities of life as unmarried women in Regency-era England. Marianne and Elinor, who could not be more different, must lean on each other as they are forced to decide between misguided passion and grounded sensibility.

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Talia Daigle simply shone as the free-spirited Dashwood sister, Marianne. Daigle commanded the stage portraying the young woman’s rambunctiousness with age-appropriate, energetic physicality. Daigle’s impressive emotional range was on full display, from being blindly in love with Sammy O’Connor’s John Willoughby, to having a terrifyingly hysterical reaction to a sabotaged love affair. As the older and more reserved Dashwood sibling, Anna Mansfield played Elinor with tense stoicism, while skillfully displaying cracks in the character’s facade as she too grappled with heartache and broken promises. Together, the pair experienced ups and downs, and supported each other throughout with strong chemistry and care.

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Sammy O’Connor was endlessly charming as the seemingly perfect object of Marianne’s affections, Mr Willoughby. O’Connor’s physicality was smooth, portraying Willoughby’s suave persona in captivating fashion with every flick of the character’s coat tails. Finley Henderson played Elinor’s love, Edward Ferrars, with bumbling appeal. The enduring romance between Elinor and Edward was accentuated by Henderson’s emphasis on the bachelor’s agonizing awkwardness.

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Sadie Tyrer (left) as Gossip #1, Maria Montenegro as Gossip #3, Odilie N as Mrs. Jennings, Nina Moore as Gossip #4, and Vivi Nguyen as Gossip #2 during St. Joseph High School’s Cappies production of Sense & Sensibility on April 25. Photo by Isabella Ghattas /StudentArticle content

The entire cast of the show tackled complex dialogue with zeal, maintaining the high-society setting with effective English accents. Whether sipping tea in the background of a scene, or eavesdropping through one of the large windows expertly crafted by the sets team, every member of the ensemble kept up a lively intensity. Ella Marcogliese delivered Fanny Dashwood’s irritatingly refined personality with a comically nasal voice and exaggerated elegance. As Sir John Middleton, Nosaze Osaze brought an infectious energy to the stage, and had a lively dynamic with Odilie Mutambya’s Mrs Jennings. The spirited banter between them added vitality to every scene they shared.

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The Housekeepers Registry set crew conducted efficient transitions, manipulating large set pieces between scenes. Each set change was complemented by excerpts of a modern song in keeping with the theme of the previous scene, which added a contemporary twist to the classic story and was a great technique to keep attention through longer pauses in the action. The lighting team used a variety of techniques to support the actors on stage. Emotionally charged and scandal-filled scenes were bathed in warm red light, and the pearl-clutching Gossips were literally green with envy when expressing jealousy. Lightning flashed behind the set team’s artfully crafted clouds to reflect the brewing social storm. Warm light faded in and out of Marianne’s room to represent sunrise and hope as time passed. Each character’s hair, done by Powder and Puff, reflected social class and personality, from Fanny’s frivolous updo to Marianne’s long-lasting ringlet curls.

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From the opening notes of a toxic Britney Spears’ song to the closing ring of sweet wedding bells, St. Joseph High School’s production of Sense & Sensibility was enchanting. Full of heartbreaking tragedy and entertaining gossip, the cast and crew delivered a show where both sense and sensibility proved to be necessary virtues.

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Zoe Whitlock, Lead Critic
Colonel By Secondary School

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There’s no better friend than a sister and St. Joseph High School’s performance of Sense & Sensibility told a heartwarming tale of gossip, scandal, romance, and most importantly, sisterly love.

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Sense & Sensibility, based on the novel written by Jane Austen in 1811 and adapted for the stage by Kate Hamill, is a play that follows Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, two sisters who move to a cottage in the English countryside with their newly widowed mother. Elinor Dashwood, practical and reserved, falls for Edward Ferrars, an awkwardly charming gentleman who is engaged to someone else. Marianne Dashwood, romantic and free, falls headfirst for John Willoughby, an irresistible man with a mysterious past. Through heartbreak and happiness, scandal and sickness, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood navigate the societal pressures of Regency era England and are tested in ways they would have never imagined. Sense & Sensibility tells the story of the bond between two sisters brought closer together by love, life, and loss.

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In the spotlight was the dynamic duo Anna Mansfield and Talia Daigle, playing Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. Together they worked in harmony, beautifully portraying the strong relationship between the two sisters, while expertly bringing out their differences. Anna Mansfield as Elinor moved across the stage in a deliberate and cautious manner that matched the reserved nature of the character. When Elinor reveals to Marianne that she knew of Edward’s engagement, Mansfield effectively portrayed emotional turmoil that had been building up after months of staying silent. Talia Daigle brought whimsy and life to the role of Marianne. Daigle was a ray of sunlight on the stage, from playing the character with an infectious energy that showed Marianne’s unbreakable spirit to demonstrating impressive range by sobbing in panicked hysterics.

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Talia Daigle (left) as Marianne Dashwood, and Anna Mansfield (right) as Elinor DashwoodSadie Tyrer (left) as Gossip #1, Vivi Nguyen as Gossip #2, Kaitlyn Terhune as Gossip #5, Nina Moore (right) as Gossip #4, and Maria Montenegro as Gossip #3 (floor) during St. Joseph High School’s Cappies production of Sense & Sensibility on April 25. 2025. Photo by Isabella Ghattas /StudentArticle content

In the role of Edward Ferrars, Finley Henderson moved in an awkward yet endearing manner and spoke in stilted speech that showed how nervous the character was around Elinor. As Robert Ferrars, Henderson snorted and sniffled across the stage, repulsing everyone along the way. Sammy O’Connor played John Willoughby with exorbitant bravado, demonstrating the arrogance of the character through comedic body language such as exaggerated hand gestures, dramatically flipped coattails, and smoldering looks. The Gossips represented the ever increasing pressure of society with high pitched, overlapping voices, and birdlike laughter.

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Four ornate windows looked out onto a beautifully painted backdrop of the rolling hills and cloudy skies of the English countryside. The windows were painted pink and white on the inside and draped with green vines on the outside, smoothly depicting the change in settings. Sense & Sensibility employed a wide variety of lighting techniques, including striking red lighting during scenes of romance, fading blue lights when Marianne is ill, and the flash of lightning across the thunder filled sky. Social status of the characters was reflected through colourful costumes, hair and makeup.

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St. Joseph High School’s performance of Sense & Sensibility was touching and dynamic, brought to life by the talented actors under the stage lights.

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Keiko Pomakis, Lead Critic
St. Patrick’s High School

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Sisters in love, suitors with secrets and scandals that shake society. The stellar cast and crew of St. Joseph High School’s charming production of Sense & Sensibility illustrated the many ups and downs of romance through engaging scenes and sentimental moments between characters.

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Written by Kate Hamill and based on the iconic Jane Austen novel, the play Sense & Sensibility takes place in the quiet English countryside, during the Regency era, and follows the narrative of sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, following the death of their late father. When the Dashwood family is forced to leave their home, rumours spread, and chaos ensues.

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Anna Mansfield, cast as the rational Elinor Dashwood, did a fantastic job portraying the internal agony that comes with holding back emotions for the sake of others through a variety of impressive facial expressions. This was especially evident when Elinor continued smiling, as she learnt the unfortunate truth about Mr. Edward Ferrars. Additionally, Mansfield maintained exceptional chemistry with the other cast members, specifically, Talia Daigle, in the role of Elinor’s eccentric younger sister.

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Moreover, Brooklyn Helem, in the role of Margaret Dashwood, flawlessly portrayed a whimsical, childlike energy, accurate for the character of the youngest Dashwood sister, particularly with an innocent giggle demonstrated throughout the performance.

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The colourful, radiating lights framed each scene, building on the intense emotions and ambitions of the characters. In particular, when Colonel Brandon is struck with love at the sight of Marianne Dashwood, the affection is projected onto the stage in vibrant pink colours. Lighting techniques were also used to represent the passing of time, with sunrise, sunset, and moonlight occurring in a rhythmic sequence, proving the impressive skills of the lighting crew, The Hall of Candles.

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Anna Mansfield as Elinor Dashwood (L) and Talia Daigle as Marianne Dashwood (R) during St. Joseph High School’s Cappies production of Sense & Sensibility on April 25. 2025. Photo by Sarah Ryan /StudentArticle content

Furthermore, each of the costumes worn by the actors were time and character-accurate, reflecting the fashion of early 19th century England, with long dresses and orderly suits. Many characters were also adorned with ornate pearl jewelry, tight curls and lace shawls, further representing the style trends of the Regency Era.

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The versatile set consisted of movable window barriers that defined the whereabouts of each scene, whether in the comfort of the Dashwood cottage or out in the sunny courtyard. The outdoor scenery was enhanced with realistic plants lining the stage as well as climbing the window sills. Additionally, actors used a variety of time-accurate props while on stage, including sun parasols, quills, and porcelain tea cups, representing the delicate but beautiful nature of the Dashwood sisters.

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St Joseph High School’s remarkable students displayed greatness both on stage and behind the curtains. Sense & Sensibility, presented by the engaging cast and enabled by the backstage management and tech crew, was an immersive experience, saturated with witty humour and valuable commentary about the true nature of love.

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Anna Mansfield (left) as Elinor Dashwood, Nosaze Osaze (centre) as Sir John Middleton, Kyleigh Seymour (right) as Lucy Steele during St. Joseph High School’s Cappies production of Sense & Sensibility on April 25. 2025. Photo by Sarah Ryan /StudentArticle content

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About the reviews:

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The St. Joseph High School production was reviewed by 32 critics representing 13 schools. The critic discussions were mentored by teacher Fadi El-Saikali of St. Patrick’s High School and student reviews were edited and selected for publication by teacher Serena McCauley of All Saints High School, who could see only the reviews, not the names or schools of the reviewers.

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Next review: Redeemer Christian High School’s production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.

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About the Cappies:

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The Citizen and 23 high schools are participating in the Cappies, a Washington, D.C.based program that uses high school critics to review high school theatre. The program is a unique partnership between the Ottawa Citizen, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Catholic School Board. Two schools from other boards in the region and two private schools have also joined. The Cappies season culminates with an awards Gala in June graciously hosted by the National Arts Centre. Follow Canada’s Capital Cappies on Instagram @OttawaCappies.

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