Review by Annie Zeleznikow
Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) is a light-hearted adaptation of the original source material (written by Isobel McArthur), narrated by the servants of the Bennett family and the extended Pride and Prejudice universe. This silly and fun retelling of a literary classic will appeal to almost everyone, given its fast-paced storytelling and contemporary libretto. Closely following the major beats of the original story, this show tells the tale of the Bennett Family as all five daughters begin looking for stability in their lives, often found in the safety of love and marriage.
This adaptation of Pride and Prejudice includes a large amount of silliness and an appropriate amount of singing. The addition of well-known songs, to great comedic effect, adds warmth and an opportunity for talented vocalists to entertain and delight the audience. The strength of the ensemble quickly became evident, with strong vocals and thoughtful acting. This ensemble is a powerhouse of talent.
The incredible cast of this show displayed their magnificent versatility as an ensemble. Lead by Amy Lehpamer, the cast expertly navigated the show through comedic brilliance. Lehpamer was joined on stage by Kaori Maeda Judge, Ruby Shannon, Teo Vergara and Zoe Ioannou. Boasting both great physical humour and impressive vocals, the cast of Pride and Prejudice * sort of are impressively delightful and entertaining. The exaggeration of existing funny moments of miscommunication in the source material stimulated giggles of delight from the audience. This show was joyful.
The costumes (designed by Ana Inés Jabares-Pita) consisted of a uniformed white dress, with colourful dresses that the cast zipped in and out of depending on what character they were portraying. This costuming design worked well to quickly change characters while easily reverting back to servant narrators as needed.
The servants note that there is “no ever after or ending” for them. However, the audience don’t really see this come to fruition throughout the show. The servants provide a light-hearted retelling of Pride and Prejudice, but are mostly excluded from the narrative of the show, with minimal additions of the servants as narrators.
The lighting (designed by Jason Bovaird), during a particularly dramatic scene, was able to break the tension with exceptional timing. The lighting continuously enhanced the numerous visual and physical gags, contributing to the humour and energetic atmosphere of the show.
The show was silly, but filled with love and adoration for the source material. As an avid Austen fanatic, I appreciated the spirit in which the show was written, to continue the narrative fans crave and adore. This show was an enjoyable and joyful evening, fun for any Austen fan.
For more information and tickets: https://prideandprejudicesortof.com.au/
