Review by Mili Fisher
Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of): a laugh for everyone
Neil Gooding Productions and Woodward Productions
Canberra Theatre Centre
Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) is a wonderfully entertaining musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. It features all of the characters that you know and love in a more playful and quirky manner. Originally written for the West End by Isobel McArthur, Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) is now touring Australia.
The production follows the plotline of Austen’s classic, in which the five Bennet sisters grapple with love and romance under the social pressures of the Regency era. Elizabeth Bennet (Teo Vergara), the second eldest of the sisters, struggles to overcome her initial judgments of Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy (Zoe Ioannou) as arrogant and disagreeable, ultimately acknowledging the misunderstandings between them and falling in love. The show features a cast of five who act as servants playing the roles of each character in the story.
Watching Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) is no doubt an enjoyable experience. The cast is incredibly engaging, the performances well directed and polished. McArthur’s script has managed to turn Austen’s novel into an easily digestible stage performance for the modern audience. However, Pride and Prejudice fanatics may at times feel slightly disappointed at the lack of substance in the story. The production tends to sacrifice Austen’s original intellectual value for humour, and seems to neglect the comedic wit that can often be found in Austen’s writing.
That said, the show is still of high value, in both an entertainment and theatrical capacity. While the production may occasionally overplay the humour to the point of absurdity, it offers a greatly accessible adaptation of Pride and Prejudice that provides newcomers a sufficient introduction to the world of Jane Austen. At times the cast pose as servants who act as narrators in the story, providing context to both the story and the time period. The show also features a myriad of Austen related jokes and references to satisfy the bookworms.
The musicality of the performance is of an extremely high standard, with many of the cast members playing instruments such as violin, guitar, and piano live on stage. While it could have been beneficial to have a more frequent amount of musical numbers, each was well placed and served the plot. Not only did the musical element of the show further engage the audience, it also amplified the production’s comedic value — most memorably with the use of George Michael’s Careless Whisper as Elizabeth and Mr Darcy lock eyes.
If you’re looking for a great night out, Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) is the way to go. Its comedic nature will certainly have you laughing and smiling the whole way through. While the production is not the most faithful of adaptations and some Austen experts might miss the depth of Austen’s novel, the show is incredibly endearing and has a laugh for everyone.
