The Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Penzance, Cornwall – until 6 October 2022
Reviewed by Kerry Gilbert
5*****
“A classic novel retold will have the audience unfold with laughter!”
What could be better than enjoying a production of Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) at the spectacular Minack, open air theatre perched upon the Cornish cliffs?
This is a laugh out loud show that’s been cleverly created from an all-time classic!
The show is straight from the West End and Directed by Isobel McArthur and Simon Harvey, it will simply bowl you over and leave you with that ‘feel good’ feeling like you’ve just watched something unique that you’ll not have seen before or will likely see again.
The cast of five take on all the parts, Isobel McArthur is a wonderful Darcy. In addition, she plays an even more coarse than usual Mrs Bennet. Also in the cast are Olivier Award nominated Tori Burgess as Lydia and Mr Collins; Olivier Award nominated Christina Gordon as Lady Catherine de Bough and Jane; Award winner and Stage Debut Awards nominee Hannah Jarrett-Scott as Charlotte Lucas and Charles Bingley and Leah Jamieson as Elizabeth Bennet.
The audience were engaged with laughing almost every minute of the performance which also features a string of pop classics. So, clutching handheld microphones, Jane croons “At last” while on her way to Netherfield, Elizabeth taunts Mr Darcy with “You’re So Vain”, Jane and Bingley wonder “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”, and the Bennet women are “Holding Out for a Hero”. There’s also a perfectly groan-worthy Chris de Burgh gag.
This is a faithful staging of the novel, albeit one with more 21st century language, including a lot of swearing: Darcy is described as a ‘tw*t’ (and that’s one of the milder insults). Mrs Bennet calls Elizabeth “a f***ing smart a*se” – and there are contemporary touches like the sisters stomping around in Doc Martens or drinking Irn-Bru.
I particularly liked the moment when Elizabeth looks at a painting of Darcy and Isobel McArthur slides behind the empty frame to pose as the portrait, whose eyes then follow Lizzie round the room.
This show would appear to a wide range of ages and is admirably accessible – retelling of a classic novel with humour, music, dancing, great audience interaction and a superb clearly written storyline. My 18-year-old daughter enjoyed it as much a me, without having read the book.
This is a light-hearted play that will cheer you up – I’d highly recommend going to see it whilst it’s at the wonderful Minack!