Jane Austen

Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of)

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Reviewed by Michelle Ewen

Opening Night verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What if you took Jane Austen’s most popular novel, added a tower of Ferrero Rocher, a plethora of iconic pop hits and a life-sized horse on wheels? The answer, my dear, is Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) – a wickedly funny and outrageously irreverent take on the classic story of the Bennet sisters and their rocky road to lasting love. 

In a genius move, writer/director Isobel McArthur tells the story from the perspective of five ‘below the stairs’ maids who have an invisible hand in helping each sister get several steps closer to marriage (with more success than the meddlesome Mrs Bennet!). 

With an all-female cast of just five players portraying every single character in the Austen universe (both above and below the stairs), the stage is set for a rip-roaring entertainment-fest in which your next giggle is never more than a second away. 

With Naomi Preston Low expertly anchoring the action as the irrepressible Elizabeth Bennet and Christine Steel bringing sweetness and light as Jane Bennet, Rhianna McGreevy is free to showcase her exceptional range – switching effortlessly from potty-mouthed Mrs Bennet to the taciturn Fitzwilliam Darcy. 

Whether thrusting her breasts as chief antagonist Caroline Bingley or wrestling with a tube of Pringles as the hapless Charles Bingley, Emma Rose Creaner is hysterical. But the scene-stealing plaudits must go to Eleanor Kane, whose Mr Collins, once experienced, can never be forgotten!

An honourable mention must go to Mr Bennet, who is represented by nothing more than an armchair, newspaper and cloud of smoke in one of several inventive sight gags throughout the play. 

Other running themes include an impressive array of 1980s confectionery – from a plate of Wagon Wheels to a box of Viennetta ice cream. And, of course, there is always the (welcome) threat of a song around every corner, with the cast taking every opportunity to underpin each character or plot development with a tongue-in-cheek number. Highlights include Carly Simon’s ‘You’re So Vain’, Chris de Burgh’s ‘Lady in Red’ and Pulp’s ‘Something Changed’. 

Comedy supervisor Jos Houben’s lightness of touch ensures no laugh is forced, while McArthur’s direction is imbibed with creativity and ease. Character transitions are helped enormously by the inventive wardrobe choices of multi-award-winning Ana Inés Jabares-Pita. A simple white dress for each maid creates the perfect canvas on which to layer on additional garments, which are whipped off and on before you can blink an eye. 

Above all, this play is about sisterhood – and the bond between the players feels very genuine. They look like they are having a ball on stage, which is an energy that translates to the audience, who need no prompting to rise to their feet for a well-deserved standing ovation. 

Back in 2018, McArthur and her fellow graduates fromThe Royal Conservatoire of Scotland were initially challenged by Andy Arnold, the Artistic Director of Glasgow’s Tron Theatre, to restage a classic. With an instant hit on their hands, the young company lost traction during the pandemic but, thanks to a collective effort from the theatre industry – and the considerable determination of producer David Pugh – this Laurence Olivier Award-winning play lived to see another day. It now stands as a testament to what can happen when talent meets opportunity meets resilience.  

Sometimes considered complex and unwieldly in its classic form, Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) is a modern-day rom-com triumph that anyone can enjoy. Just be prepared to go home with your cheeks sore from incessant smiling!

Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) is on at The Lowry until Saturday, 22 March tickets are available here.

Pride and Prejudice

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First published back in 1813, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice marks the return of Regent’s Park Theatre to The Lowry for a third time following their hugely popular visiting productions of To Kill a Mockingbird and Lord of the Flies.

Austen’s classic comedy tells the much-loved story of the Bennett family and their five unmarried daughters. Mr and Mrs Bennett soon see an opportunity to rise through the ranks of society when the wealthy and devastatingly handsome Mr. Bingley and his friend, fellow eligible bachelor, (and even more wealthy) Mr. Darcy arrive in the area. The Bennet’s eldest daughter Jane soon catches the eye of Mr Bingley while the brooding Mr Darcy clashes with the Bennet’s feisty second daughter, Elizabeth, despite this, their paths are destined to repeatedly meet.

Adapted for the stage by Simon Reade and Directed by Deborah Bruce, the creative team have worked their magic on this production, delivering a bright and joyful reworking of Austen’s wonderful comedy. Set Designer Max Jones has created a remarkably effective revolving structure which works wonderfully well and allows the cast to glide with ease from the Bennett’s parlour at Longbourn to the grandeur of the ballroom at Netherfield Park.

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Both opening and closing this production is the delightfully dramatic Mrs Bennett announcing “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” Played by Felicity Montagu, this role couldn’t have been better cast; she is everything you’d wish for in a ‘Mrs Bennett’, brash, attention-seeking, uncouth and ridiculously excitable. Her shameless attempts to get her daughters married off are hilarious; Montagu was made for this role and carries it off to perfection. In contrast to Mrs Bennett is the reserved, thoughtful and long suffering Mr Bennett, played wonderfully by Matthew Kelly, he is the calm to Mrs Bennett’s storm, the pairing of the two actors is a delight to watch.

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The five actresses playing the Bennett girls each offer something different and ensure that each sister has their own strong identity and characterisation, amazingly several of the girls are making their professional debuts. Tafline Steen who takes on the tough role of Elizabeth does so with ease, she is sublime. Feisty and passionate, and just as headstrong and determined as Austen wrote her. Steen’s performance is outstanding, an actress no doubt headed for big things, she is truly exceptional.

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Her clashes with Mr Darcy, played by the broodingly handsome Benjamin Dilloway are realistic and believable; the change in her emotions is moving to watch. Mr Darcy is another hard role to deliver, a fine balance to get right, by Act II we see Dilloway convey the warmer side of Darcy that Austen’s reader adore and yearn for and the side ultimately we knew was there all along . Special mention must go to Steven Meo with his riotous interpretation of Mr Collins the clergyman, irritating, try hard and totally nauseating, the last person you’d ever want around, he is hilarious, utterly brilliant to watch. Also praise for Leigh Quinn who takes on two roles, Mary Bennett and Annabel De Bough, although smaller roles she absolutely shines in each.

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Pride and Prejudice is a classy production, accessible and fresh. An complete joy for Austen’s fans, it’s also is the perfect introduction to those dipping their toe for the first time. Delightfully entertaining with laugh out loud moments and a superb cast, an absolute must see!

On at The Lowry until Saturday 15th October

http://www.thelowry.com/event/pride-and-prejudice