NE1 Reviews: Pride & Prejudice (*Sort Of)
We review Isobel McArthur's West End sensation at Newcastle Theatre Royal
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”
When Jane Austen wrote that line all those years ago, we’re not sure she’d have ever foresaw an all-singing, all-dancing, all-female reimaging of her novel.
After all, what would the 19th century equivalent of Young Hearts Run Free sound like, exactly? Nevertheless, that’s exactly what award-winning duo, producer David Pugh and writer/director Isobel McArthur, have set out to achieve with Pride & Prejudice (*sort of).
Seated in the Theatre Royal, before the show even begins, we get the sense that our hosts aren’t your typical Regency era goodies. They’re the mischievous servants lurking in the audience with their white dresses and marigolds, cleaning as the audience take their seats (and at one point, even polishing a guest’s umbrella). And then, when you least expect it, the show begins with a cry from the stage – and you’re introduced to Austen’s England and the Bennett family… sort of.
Inside the Bennett home, Mrs Bennett is busy trying to marry off each of her daughters. Luckily for them, the arrival of a certain Charles Bingley and his handsome friend Fitzwilliam Darcy, their fates might just might be about to change for the better. Although with balls more akin to university parties – one of the Bennett sisters takes to the stage wielding a bottle of blue WKD – and proposals swiftly rejected with F-bombs, it won’t all be smooth sailing.
Despite Mrs Bennett's fixation on the marriage-mart, men take a backseat here, so don’t expect any Matthew MacFadyen-types to be walking on stage. Instead, the male roles are fulfilled by the all-female cast with a series of well-timed quick changes, needle drops and a cleverly used prop in lieu of a one Mr Bennett. We'll let you take your guesses on that one.
Speaking of tunes, there’s a fair few throughout the show, as characters express their emotions through the transformative power of… karaoke. We won’t spoil too much here, but let’s just say that the audience went wild when a certain Chris de Burgh number was mentioned. You’ll know it when you see it.
But all this entertainment just wouldn’t be possible without the wickedly talented cast. With an immense number of jokes, lyrics, and quick-changes to remember, we left the theatre feeling genuinely impressed and simultaneously stunned at just how they’d managed it all. Particular kudos to Emma Rose Creaner, whose portrayal of Mr. Bingley never once failed to have the audience in stitches.
It’s probably also important to note that you don’t need to be an Austen fan to enjoy the show. Whether you’ve read it more times than you can count, or would rather watch the film for that Colin Firth scene, Pride and Prejudice (*Sort Of) makes the author’s work more accessible (and funny) than ever. If Jane Austen’s novel reminds you too much of school classrooms and character essays – then this is like a breath of fresh air, where revelry is rightly allowed to rampage throughout.
All in all, it’s a truth universally acknowledged that everyone should see Pride & Prejudice (*Sort of). Whether you’re an avid Austin-ite, or simply curious to see what all the fuss is about, you’ll have a blast. Someone pass me a mic, I want to go to karaoke now…
Pride & Prejudice (*Sort of) is playing at Newcastle Theatre Royal up until 28th September. Visit the Theatre Royal website to find out more and buy tickets.
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Featured image: Mihaela Bodlovic
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