Pride and Prejudice

It was a real pleasure to attend The Henley Players’ production of Pride and Prejudice, at the Kenton Theatre. I should start by saying this was my first visit to this beautiful theatre, and what a gem it is. A packed matinee audience from the Henley community created a warm and supportive atmosphere from the outset.

What struck me most was how clearly the story was told, and how accessible the characters felt with excellent characterisation and the performers taking centre stage, Lines landed with clarity, while Elizabeth’s sharp wit gave real insight into her strength of feeling. The production found a lovely balance between honouring the text and keeping the pace moving, which is no small feat with Austen.

The staging was deliberately simple, built around a series of chairs and supported by black and white back projection. This was a thoughtful choice. Back projection can often distract, but here it complemented the action rather than competing with it. The stripped-back approach placed the focus firmly on the actors, and rightly so.

Costumes were exquisite. The attention to detail was outstanding, right down to jewellery being changed to match different outfits. It’s those touches that elevate a production. Overall, this was a thoughtful, well-paced, and thoroughly enjoyable interpretation that respected the text while keeping it alive for a modern audience.

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