I saw the new film adaptation of Emma today. It's a Jane Austen book I studied for A-Level and love, and I really didn't think we needed another adaptation but oh my gosh it was brilliant, not least because Johnny Flynn is a really sexy Mr Knightley.
(I wonder what Miss Egan, my close-to-retirement teacher would have made of him.)
Now, I've long had a soft spot for Johnny since seeing him on stage in The Heretic in 2011 (I missed him in Jerusalem first time around but caught him when it came back that same year).
He's had an interesting stage and screen career to date, proving that he can play more than the quiet romantic (see Hangmen from his stage CV and Beast from his film CV).
Seeing him on the big screen in Emma got me revisiting my reviews of everything I've seen him in on stage. Let's hope he is back again soon:
The Heretic, Royal Court – where I discovered Johnny and that he was also a musician.
Jerusalem, Apollo Theatre – just a name check but I loved the play, a lot.
The Low Road, Royal Court – the plays had highs and lows but I loved Johnny Flynn as the anti-hero.
Twelfth Night, Apollo Theatre – playing a gentle and likeable Viola.
Hangmen, Royal Court – the one where he completely stole the show.
True West, Vaudeville Theatre – The one in which he outshines Kit Harington.
Postscript: I was thinking about how successful Jersusalem was and it's getting on for nearly 10 years since its second West End outing. Time for a revival do you reckon or is Mark Rylance's performances still too embedded in people's memories?
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