Birmingham Rep – until Saturday 8th February 2025
Reviewed by Nadia Dodd
4****
Directed by Isobel McArthur the comedy reinvention of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is currently touring the UK. The show won the 2022 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and deserves to continue playing to audiences nationwide. The staging of this version of the story is given a shakeup as it’s performed by an all-female cast of 5 who are outstanding throughout in swapping effortlessly between multiple roles often within seconds. The joy in this production is infectious and you can’t help but smile as you are swept along by it all.
As we were taking our seats the cast were up and down the stairs dusting and mingling with the audience wearing their marigolds. I think we could sense we were in for a fun evening.
Once on the stage, set with a background of the giant staircase, the show begins as they discuss how servants are often forgotten and don’t get a happy ending.
Plenty of modern elements had been added to this version including innuendos, songs and the occasional swear word. The witty and light tone is deliciously delivered throughout with great fun. The delivery of the comedy is sublime, with even the slightest glance sometimes gaining a laugh.
Naomi Preston Low is an excellent Elizabeth Bennet, she carries the role superbly with a punchy heart as the romance with Mr Darcy plays out. The softness underneath the exterior is wonderfully captured. Rhianna McGreevy expertly switches between Mrs Bennet and Mr Darcy. The larger-than-life expressions as Mrs Bennet, the leader of the household who has hope for romance and the future of the family, compared to the po-faced Darcy.
Christine Steel is brilliant as Jane, her softness makes you instantly connect to the character. Her skill in switching up completely is amazing. The staunch ‘Lady In Red’ Lady Catherine is tremendously captured. Emma Rose Creaner is a hoot to watch in every moment she is on the stage. Be that Charlotte Lucas or the more sneering Bingleys.
Susie Barrett is magnificent playing with the humour and the delivery of it adds great laughter. Her Lydia Bennett is great but it’s her Mr Collins that really stands out.
The skill of the 5 performers is really what makes this production so much fun to watch. They are really engaging to watch and sprinkle so much of their own expressive fun throughout.
The clever placement of music throughout adds another layer to the production. Microphones are placed around the set or hidden in props with cracking vocals and harmonies performed. The production ends on a riotous version of ‘Young Heart Run Free‘ and sends you back into the world on a real high.
The standing ovation from the audience was very much deserved, this is a production I would very much recommend that you go to see if you can. A perfectly uplifting production.