Pride and Prejudice* (*Sort Of), UK Tour Review (2024)
Pride and Prejudice* (*Sort Of) production image. Photo by Mihaela Bodlovic
Reviewed by Hollie for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
This production contains: Strong language, loud noises and flashing lights
What do Dr. Martens, rubber gloves, Irn-bru and Jane Austen have in common? Romance apparently! As a hardcore Jane Austen fan I was sceptical as I arrived at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal for this modern adaptation of Austen’s most famous novel Pride and Prejudice.
However, this modern adaptation of a literary classic is like no other. With 5-star reviews from its original 2021 West End production, I was intrigued to see how this classic romantic novel could be adapted for a modern audience. With the popularity of modern adaptations such as Bridgerton gracing our screens in the last few years, the interest in a charming man and a beautiful girl walking off into the sunset has not yet waned, 200 years after Austen’s publication date.
With classic quotes and lines from Austen’s original novel, the audience are introduced to the Bennett family through the use of sarcastic dry humour and a mix of both modern and regency-era costumes and props. This show depicts the tale of Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy’s love story, but without all the niceties and seriousness that previous adaptations provide.
The actors portray more than one character during their time on stage and this adds to the hilarity for the audience as costume changes are made in full view. Susie Barrett’s depiction of Mr Collins is extremely well done and she is able to change her mannerisms for each character that she plays really well. Narratives are also provided by the different actors and tell the story from two different perspectives; the servants and the Bennett and Bingley families. What brings the modern references and the classic tale together? A karaoke machine, would you believe!
Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) includes many musical hits including ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ and ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?’ which are perfectly timed to move the story forward and provide it with pace and energy.
Mrs Bennett, played by Rhianna Mcgreevy, provides many entertaining moments whilst she worries about her daughter’s inheritance and financial security. Laughter can be heard throughout the auditorium for the duration of the show, and there are not many productions that can say that they provide entertainment for the whole evening.
Audience members dressed as the Bennett sisters could be seen taking photographs during the interval, and that just shows that the love for Austen’s novels and characters is still there but that new audiences can enjoy and respect the classic stories.
In the second act, Darcy’s lingering looks and snobbish ways continue to pursue Elizabeth Bennett. For those audience members familiar with the story of Pride and Prejudice, you know what is coming eventually, but this adaptation tells it through the use of letters, disco balls and fairy lights.
The set and costumes, designed by Ana Inés Jabares-Pita, are tastefully done but also provide the actors with adaptable and moveable staging, which is used throughout the show to provide audience members with a sense of time moving on, but also keep the light hearted comedy feel to the show at the forefront of the stage.
It was a shame not to see the auditorium completely sold out for this show, as the production provides some light relief during these cold and dark Autumn evenings. Isobel McArthur’s writing and direction of this production is superb and I hope that one day she chooses to adapt another popular classic.
Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) continues this week at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal until Saturday 26th October 2024 before it continues its UK tour at venues including: Sheffield’s Lyceum, Chichester’s Festival Theatre and Southampton’s Mayflower where it concludes its tour in June 2025.
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆.5
