With little prior knowledge of Pride and Prejudice (sorry literacy fans, it’s on my ‘to read’ list!) I went to York Theatre Royal to see this parody show by Isobel McArthur…
Cleaning Up Their Act
As the audience enter, maids in period smocks are busily dusting and polishing the auditorium. We soon learn that servants are behind every great love story, and that it will be this motley quintet who down sponges and don frocks to retell the classic tale.
There’s no scrubbing away the foreshadowing though, cleaning products feature heavily in increasingly inventive ways. A squirt of rain here, a mist of Febreze there…and a bird in flight that’s well worth getting in a flap over! We were reminded at points of The Handlebards take on Shakespeare, with (bicycle) bells on.
Each of the five female performers are perfectly cast in their primary roles, and often swap costumes (and genders) to play others. They all show impeccable comic timing, versatility and some great vocals.
Susie Barrett’s Mary gets some of the biggest laughs of the night, and we’re all willing her to finally have her moment to sing. Barrett also plays straight-laced cousin Mr Collins, and the flighty youngest sister Lydia.
Rhianna McGreevy is both Mrs Bennett and Mr Darcy, perhaps two of the most contrasting roles. Facing the prospect of total destitution if she can’t marry her daughters off, McGreevy plays Mum with high dramatics. This reviewer couldn’t help thinking she’d make a great Nancy in Oliver. Socially awkward Mr Darcy is honed to perfection too.
Emma Rose Creaner’s Charles Bingley is charmingly awkward as he tries to woo Jane. Creaner also plays Charles’ bitchy sister Caroline Bingley and Elizabeth’s best friend Charlotte.
Christine Steel plays Jane, George Wickham and Lady De Bourgh. Her Lady De Bourgh is a highlight. Waspish, sharp-tonged…and oh-so-extravagantly dressed!
Naomi Preston Low plays Elizabeth Bennett, the ‘obstinate headstrong girl’ who isn’t afraid to speak her mind and follow her heart. Low embodies Elizabeth’s fiery nature, and plays the rebellious teenager with a real believability.
Look out for Mr Bennett’s appearances too, a running gag that that sits well with the audience!
Pringles and Prejudice
Published in 1814, here Pride and Prejudice is brought bang up-to-date with everything from Pringles, Vienetta and Kellogg’s Frosties. The language is certainly as colourful as the food too – a kids show this ain’t! The language feels relevant though, and is the modern equivalent of the feelings of the time. There are nods to the films and TV versions, in particular the iconic lake scene which is omitted but cleverly referenced.
Songs add an extra element, and the music is an eclectic mix throughout. Expect Bonnie Tyler, Roy Orbison and even Chris De Burgh. Carly’s Simon’s You’re So Vain is an inspired choice, when belted at Mr Darcy by frustrated Elizabeth. Whilst most of these are backing tracks, live music also hits all the right notes. Piano, guitar, recorder, tambourine, maracas and glockenspiel all delight.
Tiers of Laughter
Ana Ines Jabares-Pita’s set design effectively captures the essence of the period. A grand staircase towers over the sumptuous state rooms, towering treats, breakaway props and even a horse. Like it? Neigh, we loved it!
The action is delightfully daft and full of laugh-out-loud moments and some impressive quick changes. It’s not all fluff and nonsense though, there is real a heart and depth to the show too. The timeless love story remains, and there’s plenty of girl power and bashing of the male patriarchy.
Do you need to know the source material? I’d say not. Mrs Wizard had a deeper appreciation for the show as she’s a big fan, but I went only knowing the bare bones and found it truly…Austen-tacious!
We’d had our fair share of farce, and seen many parody shows which were starting to feel formulaic and tired. Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) breathes new life into old text though, and is genuinely fresh and inventive. The team should take great Pride in what they’ve achieved.
Farcical fun, witty dialogue and the best literacy-based bin pun I’ve seen in a long time. Rubbish? Hardly.
Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) runs at York Theatre Royal until Saturday 9th November.
Book at www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/pride-and-prejudice-sort-of/
Disclaimer: Tickets were kindly provided for this performance, however all opinions are honest and are our own.
Review Wizard 