Review: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, Jermyn Street Theatre
Photo credit: Mark Dean
A literary classic like Pride and Prejudice barely needs any introduction. The romantic liaisons of Lizzie Bennet and the emotionally repressed Mr Darcy have enthralled audiences since it was first published in 1813. It remains the standard reference point in Jane Austen's impressive canon of work. The definitive version is perhaps the lavish 1995 BBC production starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. There have been many big screen versions before and since, which proves the story's timeless appeal. This new adaptation, directed by Abigail Pickard Rice, strips the piece down to a handy two and a half hours.
Some well-placed props on stage set the mood. The dry ice kicks in and we are back in early 19th century Hertfordshire. The Bennets have five daughters eager to make their mark in polite society. Mrs Bennet (Sarah Gobran) is beside herself with excitement. A new tenant has moved into the nearby Netherfield estate. Mr Bingley is a young, wealthy and single young gentleman. Mrs Bennet targets the eligible bachelor as future son-in-law material. Her daughter Jane soon catches his eye but she despairs of impudent and headstrong daughter Lizzie (April Hughes), particularly when she locks horns with Mr Darcy (Luke Barton), a close friend of Mr Bingley. The scene is set for a series of emotional entanglements that prove true love never runs smooth.
What's remarkable about this production are the number of different roles played by the three strong cast. They play thirteen characters between them and the interplay is a joy to behold. A change of character is represented by a change of jacket, or in Luke Barton's case, a hair bow when playing a female character. He impresses further still when switching between Lady Catherine De Burgh, complete with tiara, and the earnest Mr Bennet. It all works like a dream with split second timing from the cast who work like a tag team.
The BBC mini-series seems to have been a template, at least where casting is concerned. Luke Barton is an absolute dead ringer for Colin Firth, and April Hughes bears more than a passing resemblance to Jennifer Ehle, which is no bad thing given the power of TV to fix characters in the public consciousness. The themes explored by the story are still relevant today and finds its way into modern drama; Bridget Jones' Diary is, after all, a thinly veiled tribute to Pride and Prejudice.
If the production does have a weakness, it's the small cast servicing a multi character plot. One additional member might have eased the burden and made the character changes less frantic. That said, they were on sparkling form and created a showcase worthy of Jane Austen's talents. It's another hit for the Jermyn Street Theatre but we wouldn't expect anything less.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Brian Penn
Pride & Prejudice plays at Jermyn Street Theatre until 7 September, with further info here.