Pride & Prejudice (*sort of) - Stage Review

Meghan Tyler (Elizabeth), Christina Gordon ( Jane) and Isobel McArthur (Mrs Bennett)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Described as being “a deeply affectionate re-telling of Jane Austen’s brilliant, enduring story”. This stage comedy also happens to be rather brilliant!

 writer-performer, Isobel McArthur

This is an all-female adaptation by writer-performer, Isobel McArthur who makes no mistakes in staying true to the original source material.

However, for creative purposes, McArthur includes six additional servant characters who are separate from the book. To structure her writing, she takes one main thread from characters that are straight out of the novel and makes every one of the personality emphasis bigger (or smaller); as each character trait dictates. 

Elizabeth Bennett, for example, is a more tousled, devil-may-care version of herself; and Mr Bingley has become a right ‘Jack-the-lad’. Mary Bennett is a total Geek with a Rubik’s Cube. Mr Darcy’s character takes his silent probing and his social awkwardness to another level. While, Wickham, (who, in the novel, lacks personality), is not even granted a personality in this play… and so it goes.

There is the addition of a nice irony here, because one can modern day relate to all that is associated with the stress of trying to net oneself with a love that is well matched. It can be the stuff of fools sometimes, and it does allow for the most ridiculous behaviour to surface for all involved. This is a timeless theme after all, and has endlessly been a muse for every kind of creator; though Austen has to be the Queen on the subject.

The opening scene is a little strained, voices appear slightly weak; some performances take time to warm-up. Then, suddenly, it grows and grows and keeps on growing to be something, theatrically speaking, rather special. Nothing is dodged in retelling this literary classic, in fact it is (weirdly) more ‘to the point’, even if it requires the odd outburst of profanity in order to make it!

We must thank, Isobel McArthur for all those cheeky chuckles the script brings about, and all that she brings to life in the form of Mrs Bennett, Mr Darcy, and servant, Flo. McArthur is supported by a talented, ensemble cast consisting of Meghan Tyler, Tori Burgess, Felixe Forde, Christina Gordon and Hannah Jarrett-Scott.

Pictured: Isobel McCarthur, Tori Burgess, Felixe Forde, and Hannah Jarrett-Scott in Pride & Prejudice (*sort of)

All six play multiple characters who action some deftly quick costume changes, and all six players demonstrate perfect timing, stamina and placing for whichever character they are acting in changed scenes. The comedy is right on cue too, and the majority of this small numbered cast are accomplished musicians.

There are no understudies employed in this instance and as this show is touring UK venues over Autumn 2019 and Spring 2020 the sensational six will always have to work it! Bonnet’s off to you ladies!

Wonderful work by director, Paul Brotherston, movement director E. J. Boyle and designer Ana Inés Jabares-Pita Thank you to all involved as this show is hugely entertaining - I didn’t want it to end.

The ensemble cast of Pride & Predjudice (*sort of) 

**ENDS**

Review by theatre critic, Debra Hall who attended press night of Pride &Prejudice (*sort of) at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Birmingham UK on Tuesday 15 October at 7.00pm