Pride and Prejudice* (*Sort of) – The Lowry

Sending up classical literature is nothing new but there’s still nothing quite like the sight of one of its most iconic characters busting out an accordion whilst her mother has an asthma attack on the chaise longue. 

Welcome to the most irreverent interpretation of Austen you’re ever likely to witness. A madcap mix of petticoats and profanity that prompts everything from schoolgirl sniggers to flat out belly laughs, like a foul-mouthed French and Saunders spoof on steroids.

Here, Austen’s familiar tale of the Bennett brood, with their overbearing mother desperate to marry them off lest they lose their fortune and home to a most disagreeable male relative, is told through the view of the servants of the Bennett home of Longbourne.

They highlight with hilarious effect, not only the historical cruelty of women facing economic ruin should they not find a suitable match, but their own literary plight of an eternity of scrubbing.

There are two key elements to the success of this Olivier award-winning show – for it is a rip-roaring success. The first is the devilishly funny script from creator Isobel McArthur, (who co-directs the show with Simon Harvey) with a healthy peppering of classic pop songs, a clear and genuine love for the source material, and the loading of Austen’s Regency heroines with some 20th century sensibilities that weave very well into our story.

The second is our eclectic multi-role, multi-instrument ensemble, bringing a repertoire of regional accents, slick costume changes and superb physicality that not only hits every comic mark it aims for, but also skilfully moves from caricature to genuine moments of pathos, not least the ‘will they, wont they’ romance between Elizabeth and Darcy.

The troupe work seamlessly together and it feels unfair to call anyone out. However, Leah Jamieson’s portrayals of the down-trodden Mary, the charmless Collins and the sluttish Lydia are particularly (and grotesquely) hilarious and Dannie Harris’ vaults between the ice-cold Darcy and Peggy Mitchell-esque matriarch are flawless.

Add in the simple yet hugely effective stage design by Ana Inés Jabares-Pita, and some strokes of stagecraft genius (Darcy’s ‘portrait’ and Mr Bennett’s armchair are perfect touches) and you have the recipe for outstanding theatre that, whilst booting Austen’s more nuanced satire into the upper circle in favour of in-your-face slapstick, doesn’t lose sight of its core conceit.

And for that, one must profess ardent admiration and love for this anarchic take on literature’s ultimate rom-com.

Pride and Prejudice* (*Sort of) is on at the Lowry till Saturday 21st Jan. For Tickets visit https://thelowry.com/whats-on/pride-and-prejudice-sort-of/ For further UK tour dates, visit www.prideandprejudicesortof.com/uk-tour    

Reviewer: Lou Steggals

Reviewed: 19th January 2023

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★★