Pride and Prejudice

This play, adapted for the stage by Helen Jerome, is based on the book Pride and Prejudice written by Jane Austen in 1813. Mr. Bennett, his wife and five daughters live at Longbourne estate in Hampshire but the law of entitlement means that the property can only be left to a male heir, who is a cousin, Mr Collins. This means that the family will become homeless and penniless. Mrs. Bennett is therefore determined to get her daughters married and marrying into wealth is imperative as this will mean the better for everyone. In this adaptation the concentration for marriage just concerns three of the daughters - Jane, Elizabeth and Lydia.

In front of a surround of black drapes there were three tall flats, one depicted book shelves and the other two had an elaborate covering of wallpaper. A smaller flat towards the back of the stage was painted with a window through which could be seen a garden. These flats were moved about for the differing scene locations as was the furniture with additional props being added where applicable (loved the addition of the Chandelier in Lady Catherine’s drawing room).

Mrs. Bennett was brilliantly portrayed by Jo Petch. It was an absolutely top-notch performance  from Jo as she so enthusiastically and dramatically captured every nuance of the character from the outrageous almost hysterical outbursts of frustration and determination to being utterly distraught following the news of the elopement of Lydia. All of these emotions were so expressively delivered with an added comedic element. Peter Wilmot was the antithesis of his over-bearing wife as he so perfectly portrayed a very calm and loving nature and a quite rational and down-to-earth approach to the whole situation together with a distinct air of witty teasing. An excellent performance came from Tess Edmonds as the eldest daughter, Jane. She portrayed her sensible, shy and trusting nature so well and was totally heartbroken at the unrequited love she had for Mr. Bingley. A superb performance came from Grace Day as Elizabeth. She so believably portrayed the independent, free-spirited and self confident nature of the character as she quite calmly defies her mother by refusing to marry Mr. Collins. Her angry outburst towards Mr. Darcy, following his declaration of love for her and his involvement in the break-up of Jane and Mr. Bingley, was exquisitely achieved but, all was resolved and she did indeed find true love. What a truly splendid over exuberant and joyous delivery came form Alice Lumb as Lydia. She was so mischievous, so unsophisticated and so delightfully animated and her unashamedly delight in being the first to marry was so provacatively achieved. Vitalis Waweru commanded the stage as Mr. Darcy by being quite standoffishly arrogant with an air of indifference but later definitely mellowed and when finally his feelings for Elizabeth were reciprocated this resulted in a most moving and heart-felt embrace. Sheila Sly was so impressive as the haughty, self-righteous and interfering aunt of Mr. Darcy, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, but she most definitely received her just deserts when, following her confrontation with Elizabeth where she demands that she refuses to have anything to do with Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth, forcibly orders her to leave. A lovely endearing portrayal came from Sean Day as the kind and happy Mr. Bingley quite in contrast to his snobbish, rude and insulting sister, dramatically played by Toni Saxton. What a top-notch performance was delivered by James Taylor as Mr. Collins. He demonstrated the subservient pretentiousness of the character in such a creepy, cloying and pompous manner with such obsessive conviction, it was a truly outstanding performance. Kate Stuart and Leanne Bradwell both excelled as Lady Lucas and her daughter Charlotte as did Danny Washington as Mr. Wickham. Excellent support came from Sally Shaw as Hill, from Helen Rogers as Mrs. Gardiner, from Nicola Wright as Maggie and from Chris Rooke as Colonel Guy Fitzwilliam.

The Theatre at Chatsworth most definitely added to the ambience of the whole production and together with stunning costumes, good scenery, props and lighting this was certainly a most enjoyable production. Congratulations must go to Director Lindsay Jackson, Assistant Director Grace Day, to everyone backstage and Front of House and of course, to the wonderful and talented cast. Also my thanks for the very warm welcome I received from Lindsay.  

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