I don’t know what I was expecting walking into an all-female Pride and Prejudice, but I left with ready for a complete re-write of literature and Isobel McArthur to lead the revolution. The energy, commitment, enjoyment they had to be there was streamed through this theatre, it felt like a gift to witness.
Isobel McArthur, writer and performer was commissioned to write a stage production of Pride and Prejudice for Tron Theatre four years ago after having never read the book. Since then she has been developing this play to finally land at the Criterion Theatre in London where 5 actors enter the stage as we enter our seats only to assure us that it hasn’t started yet- they just need to grab their rubber glove from the chandelier.
Everything is very much in their gloved hands, as they retell a story- starting as servants and switching through characters. We are transported back in time, kind of. If you excuse the Quality Street tins, the musical numbers and the Iron Bru, following 5 young women trying to avoid financial ruin and marry a wealthy young gentleman. We watch as the cast quick change, utterly transform within a moment to enrich this story and it fooled me.
A real shout out to this cast for their level of commitment and talent to this performance, Tori Burgess, Christina Gordon, Hannah Jarrett-Scott, Meghan Tyler and of course the wonderful and previously mentioned Isobel McArthur. Their chemistry on stage was breath-taking, it is wonderful when you see a group of people genuinely love what they are doing and love doing it together, that is why this piece is very special.
If you are seeking a piece of theatre that is funny, enchanting, high energy and doesn’t for a second let you look away then you simply must see it. A nod towards Mischief theatre but a new style within itself. Thank god McArthur took to reading all those years ago because we are all better off having seen this play.
Pride and Prejudice (sort of) plays at The Criterion until 17th April 2022 https://www.criterion-theatre.co.uk/whats-on
Reviewer: Alice Rose
Reviewed: 4th November 2021
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★★