By Kate Hamill, adapted from Jane Austin’s novel Theatr Moondance, Theatr Clwyd, October 15 – 25th 2025 and touring
(3.5 / 5)
An Octagon Theatre Bolton, Theatre by the Lake, Stephen Joseph Theatre and Hull Truck Theatre production, in association with Theatr Clwyd
To mark the 250th anniversary of Jane Austens birth, a new Pride and Prejudice play sounds a great idea. We were promised a witty retelling of this classic novel and there was plenty of humour, even farce, but would this do justice to the original or the numerous subsequent films and serialisations?
The story of course is well known. Four sisters living in a rural location with no dowry need a match yet the older two are on the verge of spinsterhood while the younger two show little sign of maturity. When Darcy arrives he is disparaging about this provincial, rustic society so when he proposes to one sister, Lizzie despite his better judgement he is surprised to be refused. He then sets about successfully winning her hand managing to change the determined attitude of his beau.
There was much to enjoy about the evening, Rosa Hesmondhalgh as Elizabeth Bennett was forthright, outspoken yet loyal to her family despite the many frustrations they caused her and James Sheldon’s Darcy visibly softened from an arrogant attitude to one demonstrating consideration and compassion beyond expectations. The scenes where Darcy proposes and where he and Lizzie finally find each other were captivating. The audience also warmed to the plentiful farcical humour with the figures of Mrs Bennett (Joanna Holden) and Mr Collins (Ben Fensome) in particular appearing almost pantomimesque.
There were some strange decisions concerning casting. Eve Pereira carved out a lovely put upon role as Mary Bennett but was also asked to play Mr Bingham, despite her smaller physical stature compared to the other male characters. Jessica Ellis was funny and vivacious as Lydia Bennett yet was less convincing and quite shouty as Lady Catherine de Burgh.
The major difficulty of staging Austen’s masterpiece, Pride and Prejudice, is that it is so well loved and so much part of peoples literary history that some people are bound to be disappointed. This production fell between two stools. The costuming indicated that it was set in Regency times but no attempt was made to adapt period mannerisms, language and attitudes. There is a small genre of novels that are modern Pride and Prejudice retellings such that a contemporary setting for the play is a realistic prospect.
Austen is well loved for her dry wit and irony but is not known for her slapstick and farce. As a consequence, there are many who would have preferred a version that retaining the quiet reserved dignity associated with upper class Regency society. However, for others, they will enjoy this show, funny as it was, after all the storyline of Pride and Prejudice remains compelling.
(3 / 5)
