Just when you think you’ve seen enough versions of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice – the films, the plays and a drama series – along comes another theatre adaptation which captures the essence of the original story, feeling fresh and bringing it alive with Austen’s sharp humour magnified. There is dancing and drama, poignancy and lots of laughs.
A re-imagination of the tale of relationships
The author, Kate Hamill has re-imagined this classical tale; the script is inspired with quotes from the original and some quirky additions. The play is directed by Lotte Wakeham. It is a collaboration between Theatre by the Lake, Theatr Clwyd, the Stephen Joseph Theatre, the Octagon Theatre Bolton and the Hull Truck Theatre.
In a nutshell the story is a complex tangle of developing relationships between men and women within the constraints of society in the early 19th century. It revolves around the Bennet family of four daughters (five in the original story) and their mother’s desire to marry them off and hopefully securing the family’s finances.
In this production, every actor plays their role brilliantly; Joanna Holden is hilarious as Mrs Bennet, outrageously trying to find suitable wealthy bachelors’ for her daughters to marry while suffering from her ‘nerves’ at their machinations.
The Bennet daughters need to be matched to suitable men
Jane Bennet, played by Aamira Challenger, the oldest daughter, is gentle and compliant and falls for Mr Bingley, who fits her mother’s profile. Played by Eve Pereira, this seems to be a match made in heaven until he is persuaded that she is an unsuitable match and leaves. Eve also plays Mary Bennet, the serious daughter, who appears ‘boring’ but is actually quite perceptive and confident in her abilities.
Elizabeth Bennet, the second daughter, played by Rosa Hesmondhalgh, manages her changing emotions towards Darcy admirably, stating ‘I shall never marry. For the state is fundamentally flawed as far as I can see’. Bachelor Fitzwilliam Darcy, played by James Sheldon, is drawn to Elizabeth but remains suitably aloof and disagreeable throughout; his stiff outer shell only cracking in response to Elizabeth’s eventual adoration. Jessica Ellis, who plays Lydia Bennet the youngest daughter, is full of fun and silliness, causing much hilarity. Jessica also plays Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Darcy’s aunt and Mr Collins’ patroness, two very different but equally amusing characters.
The men are brilliantly portrayed as well
Ben Fensome, who plays Mr Collins and Mr Wickham clearly enjoyed playing both these disagreeable characters, the former an obsequious clergyman, the second a charming, dishonourable cad, who eventually makes Lydia an honourable husband. Just to add more intrigue and spice there is Charlotte Lucas, a family friend of the Bennet’s, who ends up marrying Mr Collins for his money and Caroline Bingley, the haughty sister of Charles Bingley, who has designs on Darcy. Both played by Kiara Nicole Pillai, to great effect. Finally, there is Mr Bennet, played by Dyfrig Morris, the long suffering husband and father who doesn’t have much of a say in the family affairs but is capable of delivering several scathing (and funny) one liners.
Jane Austen wrote this masterpiece over 200 years ago at the age of 20-21. It is astonishing how perceptive she was regarding the absurdity of the rules of society at the time. This new, modern adaptation should surprise and delight you, especially with the final ‘laugh out loud’ ending!
Pride and Prejudice is playing at Theatre by the Lake, Keswick from Thursday 7th August to Saturday 6th September. Further information is available at www.theatrebythelake.com
All photos credit to PAP, Pamela Raith
