The Grand Theatre and Opera House, Leeds – until Saturday 29th April 2023
Reviewed by Aimee Forsyth
5*****
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that everybody loves a bit of karaoke – don’t they? So, what better way to speed read the classic love story of Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy than through the medium of cheesy pop hits? Through jokes, laughter, and musical interludes writer Isobel McArthur and her team really do bring an abundance of joy to our stages with their comical adaptation of Jane Austin’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’.
In this female-driven production, the story is retold by a group of 5 downstairs servants who amusingly make quick changes to act out all the characters. Lucy Gray, who flits so entertainingly between the nice but dim Mr. Bingley and his pompous sister Caroline, does a fantastic job at keeping the family resemblance in her characterisation whilst still giving both characters their own distinctive flair. The same can be said for Dannie Harris who portrays a ridiculous and hysterical Mrs. Bennet alongside an incredibly serious and mysterious Mr. Darcy. Not once do the actors slip up or fall out of character and their portrayals are utterly convincing. Emmy Stonelake is totally endearing in her role as Elizabeth Bennet and her comic timing and dead pan reactions play into her appeal. She is strong and sarcastic and her cutting rendition of Carly Simon’s You’re So Vain at Elizabeth and Darcy’s first encounter is iconic.
In fact, the sheer amount of talent within this production team is unfathomable. It is rare to find a group of actors who all posses such magical talents as these do. They have the absolute power to have the audience belly laughing but are also able to portray the sensitivity and feeling of the more emotional scenes. Above all, it is stunning that each one of them can deliver ballads that rival even the most renowned songs from world famed musical productions whilst upholding the sarcasm and mockery which makes the show so hilariously brilliant.
It is obvious how much thought has gone into the entire staging of this phenomenal piece of writing by Isobel McArthur and her co-director Simon Harvey. It would be remiss to not mention how important the comedy staging by Jos Houben and the fight directing by Claire Llewellyn is on the overall funniness of this show. The side-splitting words of McArthur only make up half of the ingredients in this recipe for joy and laughter as the body language and facial expressions of the actors are what make it even more entertaining.
However extraordinary this production sounds it is absolutely and completely awesome. Whether you know the story or not, everybody can find happiness in this rendition of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ – I’ve seen a few and this might just be my all-time favourite.