Storyhouse Chester – until 15th April 2023
Reviewed by Jennifer Daley
5*****
I love Jane Austen’s work. I love the history, the costumes, the language and the literary masterpieces. I love the TV and cinema adaptations and their accuracy. I had no idea what this ‘sort of’ was all about. But did I love seeing Austen’s literary classic characters swigging Moët straight from the bottle, face planting a tin of quality streets, vomiting into a vase and enunciating some of the most wonderfully, colourful expletive language ever? Yes I did! So much so I’ve booked to see it again.
A small set of five powerful female actors play every character in this dynamite performance. Stunning set changes and outstanding choreography support the sorcery like changes on stage.
Instantly the audience are engaged and drawn into the performance of the actresses playing the roles of servants, cleverly setting the scene and later telling us to all go and get a gin and tonic in the interval.
Soon after, the characters launch into the themes of love, marriage, class and prejudice and despite this very different version of the classic, the themes and plot remain unbelievably faithful to Austen. The proposal scene between Elizabeth and Mr Darcey was powerfully emotive and phenomenally acted. If you had never read this novel before, you would still come away knowing the story. To achieve that in such a compact way, with such few actors is simply staggering.
The musical accompaniment of Lady in Red and You’re So Vain amongst others, were superbly well received . Every song chosen to accompany scenes was a comedy genius moment and at times, I have to be honest, I couldn’t breathe for laughing. The horse scene was a particular favourite, I shan’t offer any spoilers but be prepared to be completely and utterly indulged and entertained.
Evoking echoes of Catherine Tate, Barry Island’s Nessa and the musical smash Six …. This raucous version of very English novel was simply superb . The most hilarious on stage performance I’ve ever seen . Never before have I bought tickets for the same show 2 days later. It really was that good ! Isobel McArthur, you are a genius and I think Jane Austen would thoroughly approve!