Pride and Prejudice is one of those stories that is so popular that the list of film, television and stage adaptations seems to be almost endless. I can nonetheless pretty much guarantee that you will not have seen one quite like this before!
‘Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of)’ is a retelling written and directed by Isobel McArthur, who also performed in its Glasgow premiere in 2018 and in its first UK tour and West End run. Now enjoying a third UK tour, the play runs at Liverpool Playhouse this week. It has a cast of five women who, between them, play all the parts.
As we enter the auditorium the cast are already here, dusting and polishing the theatre, because their primary roles are all servants in the stylish house we see on stage. Finding themselves with some time to spare, they set about acting out the story of Jane Austen’s novel, but their performance is manic, irreverent and riotously funny.
There is little to be gained here by retelling the tale itself, except to remark that it is certainly all there, complete with Mrs Bennet’s zealous attempts to marry off her daughters into money and position, and the varying degrees of interest from Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy, Mr Collins and Mr Wickham.
The playing of multiple roles involves the cast in some mind bogglingly rapid costume changes, and also sees them disappearing in one direction and reappearing in another in ways that will make you wonder if the stage management team have employed some sort of transporter technology. Between them, Georgia May Firth, Eva Hope, Phoebe Marshall, Roxanne Morgan and Julia Murray pull off a dazzling feat of theatrical magic.
The performances are gloriously over the top without ever feeling overplayed, and the priceless facial expressions alone are enough to set the audience off into fits of laughter. Immaculate comic timing ensures that every quickfire gag in McArthur’s dialogue lands exactly where intended. There is a fair smattering of robust language as these below-stairs players depict the above-stairs characters, but it is never overdone, and adds a further layer of ribald humour to the mix. They even find time to throw in a selection of popular songs to punctuate the action, from ‘Lady in Red’ to ‘Holding Out for a Hero’ and ‘You’re So Vain’.
All of this takes place on a visually stunning stage set by Ana Inés Jabares-Pita, dominated by a sweeping staircase and towering bookcase which, along with the colourful array of costumes, is lit with striking, bold washes of colour by Ryan Stafford.
The whole thing is such a joyous experience that, as you become aware that its two hours are drawing to a close, you really don’t want it to end.
Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) is the theatrical equivalent of an un-put-downable book, and it will pick you up and send you off into the night with an enormous grin on your face. It runs at Liverpool Playhouse until 17th October before continuing its tour. There are already 21 venues currently booking up to May 2027, with further dates to be announced.
Rating: 5 stars
Production photography by Mihaela Bodlovic
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This review was originally written for publication by Good News Liverpool
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