Theatre / Reviews
Review: Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of), Theatre Royal Bath – ‘The audience were up on their feet’
At the end of the show, the audience were up on their feet, faces alight, full of happy pleasure. Isn’t that all we ever need to know?
Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) is a joyous piece of comedy, a sweary, panto-like, juke-boxy romp through the plot of Austen’s much-loved tale. This five-star show’s already conquered the West End, where it won the 2022 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy.
Wonderfully, the story and characters are very faithfully replicated, with pace, tone and colour turned up to 11. The cast multi-role with the wild aplomb of a talented sixth-form revue (unequivocally a good thing), and their pleasure in delighting the audience does that thing that only live shows can – it ricochets back and forth, uniting the auditorium and stage so we all glow home happy.
is needed now More than ever
Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) – West End cast pictured – photo: Matt Crockett
Time for some specifics. (Did I say this is FUN?) Emmy Stonelake plays (mainly) our heroine Lizzy. She’s just cracking. Proper Welsh (each sister seems to have a different regional accent – what a glory – tho’ where’s the Glasgow?!), practical, and heart-grabbingly blunt.
And then there’s Leah Jamieson – oh my word. She transforms herself with the magical ease of a shapeshifter, playing dour middle sister Mary, flibbertigibbet sister Lydia and a teeth-suckingly awful Mr Collins (watch out for the Lady Catherine perving scene).
The Bingley siblings and Charlotte Lucas are played by the talented musician-cum-MC Lucy Gray. Her Miss Bingley is the very definition of snide, and her Mr Bingley a gorgeous thickie who wouldn’t be out of place in Harry Enfield’s The Windsors.
Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) – West End cast pictured – photo: Matt Crockett
The grating Mrs Bennett is also played by another shape-shifter of great talent – Dannie Harris. Her Mr Darcy shines all the more for being played by Mrs B’s actor – it’s a genius piece of planning by writer McArthur. And Jane and her polar-opposite Lady Catherine are played by Megan Louise Wilson (and her Lady C is just marvellous).
The directors – writer and earlier-cast performer Isobel McArthur and Simon Harvey have created a piece of fast physical fun. It’s not a West-End musical (thank heavens) and that just adds to the glee. It’s packed with gags, surprises and love. Just – go!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CoFJ809uclN/?hl=en
Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) is at Theatre Royal Bath from January 30-February 4 at 7.30pm, with additional 2.30pm matinee shows on Wednesday and Saturday. Tickets are available from www.theatreroyal.org.uk.
Main photo: Matt Crockett
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