Pride And Prejudice (Sort of)

I’m a huge fan of Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’. I read the book over and over when I was a teen. I’ve watched pretty much every version, from Lawrence Olivier smouldering at Greer Garson, to Colin Firth in that wet tunic (sigh!). But, in all honesty, I have never, ever seen a version of Pride and prejudice like the one I watched at the Birmingham Rep last night. Frankly, I laughed until my sides hurt!

Pride and prejudice (sort of) by Isobel McArthur is an absolute triumph. It tells the story of the Bennett sisters, and their formidable mother through the eyes of their servants, who see everything happen, and then clean up afterwards. It is anarchic, chaotic, and completely hilarious, a punk rock version of Jane Austen. Add in some classic pop songs by the likes of Pulp, David Cassidy and Candi Staton at opportune moments and you have the makings of a perfect night out, complete with lashings of Ferrero Rocher and Vienetta!

The ensemble cast are all women, and, as the Bennett Sisters may be the origins of girl power, it is fitting that they play every role, including Darcy, Wickham and Mr Bingley. Emma Rose Cramer, Eleanor Kane, Rihanna McGreevy, Naomi Preston Low and Christine Steel are simply magnificent. They can sing, act, handle both the physical and verbal comedy and all look like they are having the time of their lives. They are all perfect as the sisters Jane, Lizzie, Lydia and Mary (poor Kitty never really had much of the original story) with Rhianna particularly brilliant as the potty mouthed Mrs Bennett.

This is comedy that has a fantastic pace and just rocks due to the clever, often hysterically funny song choices, ‘I think I love you’ being a particularly funny number.

I think the ultimate accolade that I can give ‘Pride and Prejudice (sort of) is that the story is still, ultimately recognisable, and you still cheer the happy ending.

Brilliant, often crazy fun.

Pride and prejudice (sort of) is at the Rep, Birmingham until Sat 8th Feb. Click here for ticket information.

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