A glorious spoken and sung hoot, this is an audacious retelling of Pride & Prejudice.
Just what would author Jane Austen have thought of it? I dare say she would be figuratively rolling around the aisles, just like the rest of us.
All photos by Matthew Chen
Scottish playwright Isobel McArthur simply goes “bang” and wows us, time and again, tickling the funny bone.
Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) follows the basic storyline of the classic 1813 romantic novel.
Mrs Bennet, facing financial ruin, is keen to secure her future by marrying off her five daughters to gentlemen of means.
And just like in Austen’s novel, in this iteration there are twists aplenty.
In this case, though, think modern language, the odd swear word or two, ear-pleasing pop songs and five actors in period dress, filling multiple roles.
Laughter abounds in Isobel McArthur’s rich revision in which Elizabeth Bennet has never been more spirited, nor Jane Bennet more forlorn.
Lizzy’s prickly interactions with Mr Darcy form the cornerstone of the piece, but there is so much more going on here, without let-up (save for intermission).
The story unfolds through five female servants, who see all and take to the stage with rubber gloves before the show proper starts.
Quick change costuming and hijinks are par for the course, as Mrs Bennet focuses her attention on Lizzy and Jane, while continually castigating middle child Mary.
Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) comes to Australia direct from its triumph in London’s West End, where it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy.
It is easy to see why, because it is so witty and wild. The Australian cast is excellent, dextrous and delightful. They act up a storm, exaggeration being the key.
They sing, flit about and play instruments, including the kazoo.
I speak of Amy Lehpamer, Zoe Ioannou, Kaori Maeda-Judge, Ruby Shannon and Teo Vergara.
The melodic songs covered include popular fancies such as At Last, Careless Whisper, Girls Just Want To Have Fun and Holding Out For A Hero.
And that is only in Act I.
After the interval, the musical serving continues with the likes of I Think I Love You, Lady in Red, Smooth Operator, Young Hearts Run Free, and You’re So Vain.
So much about this offering is top-notch fun and surprising.
That includes some striking costuming and sweeping staircase, courtesy of set and costume designer Ana Ines Jabares-Pita.
Perfectly timed blackouts add tension to the lighting design by Jason Bovaird, while the sound design by Marcello Lo Ricco resonates.
Director Simon Harvey must have licked his lips with this one. He has delivered a joyous, delicious show in which love is a many-splendoured thing.
It is time to revel in the rambunctiousness of it all.
Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) is on at Athenaeum Theatre until 11th July, before moving to Sydney Opera House from 16th July to 30th August.
Then it is off to IMB Theatre, IPAC from 2nd to 13th September and Canberra Theatre from 16th to 27thSeptember.
The tour finishes at QPAC in Brisbane from 30th September to 11th October, 2026.
