Windsor Theatre Royal – until 26th July 2025
Reviewed by Joanna Huggett
5*****
If you thought the drama at Pemberley ended when Elizabeth Bennet finally said yes to Mr Darcy, think again! In this delightfully dark and wonderfully staged production of Death Comes to Pemberley, at the Theatre Royal Windsor, murder most foul meets Austenian charm—and the result is a thoroughly enjoyable evening of mystery, manners, and mayhem.
Adapted from P. D. James’s murder mystery sequel to Pride and Prejudice, this stage version (penned by Duncan Abel and Rachel Wagstaff) wastes no time plunging us into chaos. Elizabeth Bennet (played by Jamie-Rose Duke) and Fitzwilliam Darcy (played by James Bye – formerly Martin from Eastenders) have been happily married for a few years now and are preparing for the annual Pemberley Ball when—shock! horror!—Lydia Wickham (played by Mogali Masuku) bursts in, shrieking about a murder in the woods. From there, the drama unfolds like a regency episode of Midsomer Murders, with secrets, scandals and just enough wit to keep things lively.
The Windsor stage has been transformed into a moody, candlelit Pemberley, with clever lighting and elegant set pieces that capture the grandeur of the estate without going full Downton. A particularly eerie woodland scene (complete with flickering firelight and ominous mist) sets the tone nicely—yes, this isn’t the Austen you read at school!
The prime suspect, George Wickham (played by Sam Woodhams), is a standout as the ever-charming, ever-suspect, one minute dashing and the next downright dodgy. He’s joined by a strong supporting cast including Sean Rigby as Colonel Fitzwilliam and Todd Boyce (from Coronation Street), as Sir Selwyn Hardcastle, Sarah Berger as Lady Catherine, Paul Jerricho as Mr Bidwell and Louise Faulkner as Mrs Young. Exemplary performances throughout, especially considering so many of them had two or three parts in the play. See if you can work out who plays Will without checking the programme!
We were particularly impressed with the performances of Celia Cruwys-Finnigan (playing Elizabeth’s sister Georgina) and Joe Bence (playing Henry Alveston) who both provided the musical backdrop to each scene live on the piano, throughout. David was also the play’s musical director/arranger.
Though the plot is a murder mystery, the production never takes itself too seriously. There are moments of genuine tension, yes—but also little winks to the audience, nods to Austen’s sharp social commentary, and a few chuckles courtesy of Lydia’s dramatic flailing. Exceptional acting and thoroughly entertaining throughout, do not miss it.