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 The Rocky Horror Show at Milton Keynes Theatre

Richard O’Brien’s anarchic, surreal, and often incomprehensible musical, The Rocky Horror Show , has captivated audiences for over fifty years now. With this new tour, it feels as fresh and unpredictable as if it had just emerged from O’Brien's vivid imagination yesterday. While another review might seem unnecessary given the countless dressed-up fans who fill every theatre it visits, let’s go ahead and write one anyway. The Rocky Horror Show follows the adventures of Brad and Janet, a newly engaged couple. On a dark and stormy November evening, they run into car trouble and seek refuge at a mysterious castle reminiscent of Frankenstein’s. There, they encounter the eccentric handyman Riff-Raff, the outrageous scientist Dr. Frank N. Furter, and a host of other bizarre characters. What unfolds is a science fiction B-movie narrative that is at times coherent and at other times bewildering — yet somehow, that doesn’t seem to matter. I first saw The Rocky Horror Show in 2019 and exper...

Review of Dial M For Mayhem! at Royal & Derngate (Royal), Northampton

Middle Ground Theatre has been creating unique and intrepid adventures for the stage since the late eighties, and with Dial M For Mayhem! , they take those experiences and bring to the stage a brand new play within a play now arriving for a week run at Royal & Derngate. Written by Margaret May Hobbs and directed by Michael Lunney, Dial M For Mayhem! has much to admire. Still, sadly, for every good joke, amusing set piece and chaotic moment, there are too many periods of flatness, stilted sequences and, especially during the first act, too many slow scenes which either tread the same old ground or bring nothing new to the proceedings and then fail to flow into the next leaving it often disjointed. The cast does their very best, though, and the characters they bring to the stage are entertaining and perfect for this farcical play, but they lack depth despite the script trying desperately at times to give them one. The attempt to create character also comes at the expense of the farc...

Review of Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors at Milton Keynes Theatre

It is now a remarkable 32 years since the first Horrible Histories book reached the shelves, and since that first Terry Deary book, suitably for this show, The Terrible Tudors , the children's entertainment franchise has become a historic event of its own. Since 1993, there have been 23 books, several TV series, a game show and a film. During those years, the Horrible Histories franchise has also graced the stage for several past shows, and here, now at Milton Keynes Theatre, comes a joint pairing of Terrible Tudors and Awful Egyptians on alternating performances. The question though, is it a deserving part of the famous franchise? A categoric yes is an answer to this neat, fast-paced show, written by original writer Terry Deary and directed by Neal Foster, who also co-wrote the show. Performed by a cast of three, it entertains and thrills throughout. The level of comedy scares, and, most importantly, education is pitched perfectly, as the series has become famous for. The cast...

A Small Mind At The Theatre

Search This Blog