Nottingham Theatre Royal – until Saturday 1 April 2023
Reviewed by Louise Ford
4****
Do anything rather than marry without affection….
The Tron Company based in Glasgow was set up in 2017 to early critical acclaim. The Company’s writer Isobel McArthur was tasked with adapting Pride & Prejudice for the stage. The adaptation was an immediate hit. With the support of Harriet Mackie ( the producer at The Lyceum in Glasgow), the show was picked up and started touring in the regions. Fast forward a few years and the show was scheduled to hit the West End. Post covid the show won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy.
This is no ordinary bonnet ripper adaptation for a start the, reduced, cast is just six women playing all of the roles. The story is moved along with songs and some choice language. Viewers of a nervous disposition be warned!
This is not, in case you haven’t already guessed, a Sunday evening costume drama . The show opens with some underdressed cleaning ladies doing some final touches to their daily clean of the auditorium, the audience and the grand hallway. They set the scene at Longbourn, the eyes and ears of the servants who watch, help and hinder the pursuit of love and of happiness!
We see the Bennett family at home, with Mrs Bennett (Dannie Harris) lamenting her and her daughters’ fate that when ( the silent but smoking) Mr Bennett dies they will all be homeless and destitute unless at least one of the girls manages to get married. As (unmarried ) woman they cannot inherit property or money in their own right.
So the game is a foot to find a husband. Could it be the cousin, Mr Collins, ( Leah Jamieson) the dull curate obsessed with his benefactor Lady Catherine de Bourgh (Megan Louise Wilson), the nice but dim Mr Bennett, the dastardly George Wickham or the vain and aloof Fitzwilliam Darcy? Through a series of balls, walks through the parks, letters and periods of ennui the matches are finally made.
The opening set is dominated by a sweeping staircase which comes into its own as a stage for the songs. From the landing the scenes unfold with limited props being brought on by the cast . All the time the servants are working and watching the story unfold.
As previously said this is a modern adaptation and a musical one to boot. The choice of songs is at times inspired and I won’t spoil any of the surprises. The songs are performed by different cast members and are accompanied at times by a piano, accordion, saxophone and even a flute!
It’s an energetic and youthful production a little reminiscent of a fringe offering which the audience clearly loved !
So hold on to your bonnets, grab a microphone and let’s all have pride in this adaptation!