Great fun, at times hilarious, Pride & Prejudice, sort of by Isobel McArthur is a high energy spoof which will appeal to both Jane Austenites and those who’ve never read a word. Premiering in 2017 in Glasgow’s Tron and then touring the UK and to the West End, it is still going strong. Gustily performed pop songs, much gyrating, boogie woogie, rushing about and general silliness punctuate the plot which does sort of keep to the novel, and most people will get many of the references to the original as it is a truth universally acknowledged that many phrases have entered our language and there are sly references to wet shirts in the well-known film.
Much gyrating, boogie woogie, rushing about and general silliness
The all female cast play all the parts, donning jackets over their dresses when playing the males with quick changes off-stage or behind a screen. The skill with which the actors can change character and voice is remarkable. In particular, Christine Steel plays Jane (the placid beauty), Wickham (the louche bounder) and Lady Catherine de Burgh (the snobby aristocrat); Rhianna McGreevy is a raucous Mrs Bennet with colourful language, still a hypochondriac (with an asthma spray) but not the whining character in the novel, and also plays Darcy with contrasting hauteur and repressed emotion; Isobel Donkin plays the innocuous Bingley, and his sister, the unpleasant Caroline, and a sad Charlotte with hints of an unrequited lesbian love. Naomi Preston Law is a spirited Elizabeth. A mention must be made of Eleanor Kane’s splits and hysterical flinging herself about as Lydia. All we see of Mr Bennet is the back view of his armchair and a newspaper - a brilliant touch.
Jabares-Pita’s costumes range from plain white servants to the stand-out upright feather headdress and sweeping train of Caroline Bingley, and a caricature Lady Catherine de Burgh in vast hat and voluminous maroon dress, bulging with its own life. The minimalist set is perfect with its sweeping staircase and hidden doors. The various locations, the Bennet’s home Longbourn, Bingley’s Netherfield, the vicarage and Darcy’s Pemberley suggested by a piano and sofa, a crucifix or standing candelabras. A raised arm and finger click and the sky becomes a star-studded black to create a romantic mood.
All the actors have terrific singing voices in the many well-known pop songs. Carly Simon’s You're so Vain is spot on, sung to Darcy by Elizabeth. Likewise, Lady in Red by her ‘nephew’ Chris de Burgh sung to Lady Catherine de Burgh. The cast ensemble singing and dancing is always full of energy and fun, especially in Bonny Tyler’s Holding out for a Hero. A shame that some of the actors often gabble when speaking and much of the humour is lost. But it’s still an entertaining evening out and much appreciated by the teenage girls in school groups in the audience going by their whoops. What a great way to enliven the school curriculum.
