Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ has been adored by readers across the globe for decades since its release in 1813.
To be able to take such a classic and reinvent the way it’s told is an extraordinary talent possessed by Director Isobel McArthur and the cast.
If you’ve read Austen’s novel, you’ll know the story of love and deception. With memorable characters such as Elizabeth Bennett, Jane Bennett, Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley, it’s a tale that’s hard to forget. McArthur’s reimagination honours the varied personalities between each character and offers a feast for the eyes with the visual presentation of each person through the use of modern- day, sweary language, references and even props. It was a golden idea and made for a particularly hilarious production!
Although, having a smaller cast may sound like a disadvantage, it worked incredibly well in this case. The all-female cast of five did splendid a job of making the script their own and became fully immersed in the world of Austen. With the girls switching between characters and interacting with the audience through narration, it felt as though we were right there in the ballrooms.
Emma Rose Creaner’s interactions with the audience were an excellent opening to the show, sending a series of laughs around the theatre, her confidence shining through perfectly in her performance.
As the tale continued, we were introduced to Rhianna McGreevy and Naomi Preston Low – these ladies were an absolute credit to their profession; watching their excitable energy on stage was intoxicating and left me wanting to see more from them. Christine Steel was an absolute treat to watch – her ability to show a character’s thoughts just through her facial expressions is a special talent. I truly hope to see her in more roles soon.
The cherry on top of this perfect sundae was Eleanor Kane: her character changes throughout the show were a stunning display of her professionalism and control on stage. With such a gifted cast, it was impossible not to fall in love with this show.
The decision to only include music from today’s world was nothing short of perfect, accompanying the modern feel of the show and truly involving us in McArthur’s imagination. From, “Young Hearts Run Free” to “Holding Out for a Hero”, it never fell short of hit songs to accompany the trials and triumphs of each scene. This, along with a set that admirably captured the essence of Austen through novels scattering the stage and walls coated in a book- themed wallpaper, made for a truly riveting performance.
Although, I do applaud the play for its comedic values, the show never failed to reflect the themes of deception within the classic novel. Watching the betrayal of Mr Wickham and Lydia running away as his bride unfold on stage was a true masterpiece – and the audience fell into silence with the shock.
Themes of love and forgiveness were also common throughout the performance, giving grace to the writing of Austen herself. The romance on stage was felt all around the theatre as the audience gasped and sighed.
As someone who has read Pride and Prejudice, it brings so much joy to see that emotional moments were not lost in favour of comedy and instead formed a healthy balance.
My praise goes out to the undeniably talented team that clearly worked tirelessly to deliver such a creative show. From the cast to the director and all those behind-the-scenes, I offer my congratulations on your success, and I look forward to being in the audience at your future shows.
Photography by Mihaela Bodlovic.
Pride & Prejudice (sort of) is at Leeds Grand Theatre until 31 May.
Book online at leedsheritagetheatres.com or call the Box Office on 0113 2430808
