Emma

Elaine’s play begins with Emma welcoming the spectators to join her 50^th anniversary. Her husband, though unidentified, is also present. Emma’s opening speech at the party eventually covers the whole story told by Jane Austen in the novel: Emma Woodhouse, 21, is handsome, clever and rich, and having introduced her former governess Miss Taylor and Mr. Weston, takes on matchmaking, with disastrous consequents. By Emma’s actions, her new friend Harriet becomes heartbroken after refusing a marriage proposal from Robert Martin, just to end up being declined by Mr. Elton, the local vicar, who mistakenly believes Emma is in love with him. The relationship between Frank Churchill, Mr. Weston’s son, and Jane Fairfax, niece to Miss Bates, puzzles everybody except Emma, who finds Harriet and Frank a perfect match. Mr. Knightley, an old friend to the Woodhouses, tries to cool down Emma’s whims, with not much success. On a trip to a local scenic spot, Emma, in jest, thoughtlessly insults Miss Bates. Finally, Harriet confesses Emma she loves Mr. Knightley, and Emma realizes no-one is to marry Mr. Knightley but her. Harriet accepts Robert Martin’s second proposal, and they are the first couple to marry, followed by Frank and Jane. When Emma, 50, ends her speech at the anniversary, the identity of her husband, appearing in the audience, has been revealed: he is Mr. Knightley.