I’m sure many of you are tired of hearing about it, but I want to take a few moments of your time to discuss Anne of Green Gables, the musical versus the novel. While I thoroughly enjoyed being part of this show (pit band was amazing fun) and having four spectacular shows, there were some problems I had with the content of the play when compared to the original novel. My issues have nothing to do with personal performances or director decisions and everything to do with the adaption from novel to play.
I recently reread the book for my children’s literature class (an enjoyable class despite the fact I miss the commie supper speaker every week) and when pit band had their first rehearsal with the cast I was disappointed with the changes that had been made. I hope that most of you went to see the show or have read the book, but if you have not there are spoilers ahead.
The main problem I have with the play is the character of Matthew. I will admit that part of the reason for my harshness is that in the book he was my favourite character. He was shy, but he had principles and when something was important to him he stood up and said something about it. He was the perfect foil for Marilla and he and Anne had a special bond.
In the musical, his character is used to bring amusement to the audience. Take the general store scene for instance. I find this scene infuriating and yes, maybe this is just how musicals work. There are certain scenes where characters are ridiculous. I do not have enough experience with musicals to say. His inability to say the words puffed sleeves occurs in a part of the show when I am happy to be playing super intensely, focusing on the music and not on what was happening on stage. Luckily enough Laurence did an amazing job of playing Matthew and making him lovable and not just simple.
In the book, Matthew asks Mrs. Lynde to make Anne a dress with puffed sleeves. Perhaps my negativity towards Matthew’s portrayal in the script is partially because in the book you are able to read what is going on in the character’s head. Losing that insight in the play means that a lot of perspective and character development is lost.
The other change in the story line was the drama between Mr. Phillips and Prissy Andrews. In the play he ends up marrying her because they fooled around and she ended up pregnant. This situation is seen as a huge scandal in the community and there are many sharp intakes of breath from the Avonlea Women when the couple arrive at the school pageant. Yes, this was an amusing part of the show, but I think that the focus on this situation took time away from the development of Anne’s character. Some of my favourite scenes in the book did not take place in the musical. There was no Aunt Josephine or Mrs. Allan (another of my favourite characters), no ghostly imaginings in the Haunted Woods, or Lady of Shallot misadventure. Yes, I understand that not everything could be included in the musical as time is definitely a constraint and this does make the absence of some characters more understandable.
The time constraint also makes the change in ending more reasonable and does ease the loss of some beautiful chapters. The endings in the book and the musical are different. Yes, Matthew does still die (bringing tears to my eyes in both the book and musical), but Anne goes to Queen’s beforehand and that is where her and Gilbert compete (along with others) over the Avery scholarship. Anne does still win with Gilbert coming second, but she decides to give it up when she learns after Matthew’s death that Marilla is losing her eyesight and could be blind in a few months. Instead of Anne making the sacrifice of the scholarship to Gilbert as it is in the musical, the novel sees Gilbert giving up teaching at the local school so that Anne can teach there and live at Green Gables.
The novel ending is so much more satisfying for a variety of reasons. For one, Anne is a more independent character in the novel as she gets a job at the end and cares for her aging caregiver Marilla. The musical greatly simplifies and adapts the story losing the novels original impact and important subtleties. This book is sometimes read as being an early work of feminism, something I think the play does not stress enough. I find myself wondering how different the musical might have been if it was adapted by a woman.
What I am trying to say in this article is that the musical is good. I enjoyed being part of it and the audience always left in good cheer. It serves its purpose. But if this is your only exposure to Anne, you are missing out. There is so much more to her story and character than what is created in the musical. Read the book if you enjoyed the play. Read the book if you were intrigued by its charm. I have a copy and will gladly lend it out to anyone. Don’t let your perception of Anne be limited by the play for the rest of your life. She is so much more than a red-headed orphan. Expand your knowledge.