Review of Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) at Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton

It is a truth universally acknowledged... No Stop! That is too obvious an opening line to a review of any Pride & Prejudice. Let us begin anew...

Of all the classic regency novels from the 19th century, perhaps, one of the most famous is that of Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen. The novel of manners telling the story of the Elizabeth Bennet her development and her family is maybe more famous now for the many adaptations the novel itself has had, including a certain wet-shirted Colin Firth edition from the nineties. Due to this, it is ripe for many a reworking and with a guaranteed audience waiting for it. Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) is one of the more bold of those adaptations. However, for all its boldness, does this new version work, or in truth, is it one step too far?

The answer is a clear yes, as this dynamic and brilliant reworking by writer and director Isobel McArthur has proven since first taking to the stage back in 2018 and now into this second UK tour, reaching Royal & Derngate this week.

McArthur and the very, very talented group of five all-female cast tell the story of Pride & Prejudice extremely well, but very, very differently. Here we have anachronistic music, outrageous swearing and gyrating of bodies in rhythmic dancing over two hours of top-notch comedy and performance.

The cast plays all of the characters familiar to Pride & Prejudice fans with each taking a Bennet member each (or two) and then switching effortlessly with a quick costume change and a change to the face. At no point do we become confused as to who we are watching. Also for those unfamiliar with Pride & Prejudice, you have nothing to fear from coming to see this show, as while the style is wacky in the extreme, this tells the story extremely well.

Rhianna McGreevy is superb in the role of the increasingly desperate decline of Mrs Bennet and later her D’Arcy is a perfect aloof self-important individual, but slowly chipped away by the charms of Elizabeth Bennet. As Elizabeth, Naomi Preston Low rightfully dominates many a scene and her strength and charm understandably chips away as the stern D’Arcy.

Emma Rose Creaner is a powerhouse upon the stage in her multitude of roles but shines the most in the duel playing of Charles and Caroline Bingley and shows lovely depth as the lovelorn Charlotte Lucas. However, whenever on stage, it is likely that she is doing something hilarious in the background as well.

Susie Barrett is fabulous as the wonderful Lydia Bennet, happy to do what she pleases, as long as it isn't sing. Barrett is also brilliant as the endlessly dull Mr Collins, all staid and proper and awkward in the extreme. Finally completing a superb cast is Christine Steel as sweet, sweet Jane Bennet. However, her starring moments come as the evil Mr Wickham and the stupendously brilliant Lady Catherine de Bourgh (her name also provides one of the more clever jokes as well, but you wait and see).

There is some superb use of familiar music songs, out of keeping with the story or time, you would think. However, songs like I Think I Love You, You’re So Vain, and yes, The Lady in Red seemingly all of a sudden fit perfectly into the show, and are wonderfully performed by the cast. Ana Inés Jabares-Pita's set is superb and delights in a construction with a strong link to books and the bold staircase provides the perfect backdrop to each and every house we visit during the story.

Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) is a delight from start to finish, and while it feels slightly long for a show in this style, the energy and humour don't flag at any point and the audience leaves delighted and maybe surprisingly more educated in the works of Jane Austen than they thought they might have been.

Crazy and funny, but always a respectful spin on the classic novel.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Performance reviewed: Monday 30th October 2024 at the Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton.

Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) is on stage at Royal & Derngate until Saturday 5th October 2024 before continuing its tour: https://prideandprejudicesortof.com/

For further details about the Royal & Derngate and to book tickets see their website at http://www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Photos: Mihaela Bodlovic

Review of Friends - The Musical Parody at Milton Keynes Theatre

The One Where 2026 starts in a world of confusion. And so, 2026 is upon us and for my first trip to the theatre this year, one of my most significant reviewing challenges was to occur. Touring to Milton Keynes Theatre is Friends - The Musical Parody , based, unsurprisingly, on that little American show that ran to a few audience members for ten years. However, I confess that I was not, and have never been in that audience, never having seen a single episode of the show. However, always up for a review challenge and doing my due diligence by having a Friends superfan as my plus one, I headed to Milton Keynes with anticipation. For those unfamiliar with the show, I could say I can’t help; however, a quick review of some of the information you might need (thanks, Google and my plus one). Running for ten years between 1994 and 2004 with 236 episodes (quiz question, you are welcome), the main characters consisted of Phoebe (ditzy, writer of sad songs), Monica (in possession of an unfeasibly...

Review of 2:22 A Ghost Story at Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton

2:22 A Ghost Story continues an endless rise and run of success on the stage. This play by Danny Robins was first staged as recently as August 2021 at the Noel Coward Theatre and since then the show continued to run in London for two years, moving to four further London theatres, before eventually closing in the city to embark on this tour, which began in September last year. During these runs, the cast has constantly been updated with often populist actors, and some, which are not even associated with acting. As this reaches Royal & Derngate, now even the touring cast has been swept clean and four further performers take on the incredible success of a show. This is the second time I have seen 2:22 A Ghost Story , and it is safe to say that on that first viewing, with the previous tour cast, I was not as blown away by the play as the success seemed to warrant. The aforementioned populist casting seemed to have driven a so-so ghostly tale into success beyond its quality, and with th...

Review of Matthew Bourne's Romeo + Juliet at Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton

Despite now having seen a few dance shows encompassing many different styles, I had yet to see one developed by Sir Matthew Bourne, a controversial player in his time, but as the relatively recent knighthood suggests, now very much embraced by the establishment. So, does Romeo + Juliet live up to his name, that is the question? So, first, this might normally be where I give you a brief outline of the story, but, for one, most have a general understanding of the love disaster of William Shakespeare's play already, and two, as it turns out from the Bourne production, a huge amount of what you might be familiar with has gone or been dramatically changed anyway. There is shocking complicity in murders, there are different moments of murder and gone are the warring factions of the Montagues and Capulets. Characters themselves feel very different at times also, to such an extent that even knowing the play doesn't always make it clear who is who at times. So, if all that sounds...

A Small Mind At The Theatre

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