After its 2018 debut at The Tron, Glasgow, Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) enjoyed a stint in the West End as well as a nationwide tour. With ballgown and boombox at the ready, this musical medley of classic meets comedy ventures out to entertain once more.
This irreverent adaptation of the Austen novel is delivered by 5 actors soon to portray servants in a “proper” performance of it: think play-within-a-yet-to-start-play. They are tired of being the unsung heroes and so take on the leading roles in their own loud, rough and ready interpretation.
Unwavering passion from an all-female troupe ensures that the utmost humour is squeezed out of every interaction, every song, every gesture. Emma Creaner delights as a pompously charismatic Charles Bingley, later slaying the audience as his viciously ostentatious sister, Caroline.
Meanwhile, Rhianna McGreevy’s melodramatic Mrs Bennet comically captures the matriarch’s desperation to see at least one of her daughters marry. With only a male heir able to inherit the estate, the family faces destitution upon the passing of Mr Bennet- whose stripped-back on-stage representation as a back-facing armchair and open newspaper achieves plenty more laughs as characters attempt to communicate with the empty space.
McGreevey also embodies a brilliantly haughty Mr Darcy, just as Naomi Preston Low brings sparkle and sass to her role as the protagonist, Elizabeth. Everybody’s swift switching of roles further adds to their prowess and the hilarity of the piece; at times, one quick spin around a pillar can see them transformed into someone completely new.
A punchy first half gives way to a slightly overextended stay at the Darcy residence post-interval; the script steadily becomes drawn-out and makes the +2-hour runtime a touch tricky to justify. The inclusion of a queer subplot immediately falls into the tired, unrequited love trope and fails to develop, proving itself to be a trivial afterthought. No pride here, then.
70s and 80s pop hits from You’re So Vain to The Lady in Red contribute a light-hearted karaoke vibe to the tone, and fans of the film will appreciate the occasional cheeky nod.
The stately setting is realised by Ana Inés Jabares-Pita’s imposing staircase and kitsch props, with contemporary articles such as Frosties and a wheelie bin thrown in to epitomise the (*sort of) perspective.
Satirical, scandalous…sort of stupendous!
Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) continues at The Lowry, Salford until 22nd March with tickets available from https://thelowry.com/whats-on/174//pride-and-prejudice-sort-of
Reviewer: Scot Cunningham
Reviewed: 18th March 2025
North West End UK Rating:
Rating: 5 out of 5.
