The Pantaloons roll up in Prescot again with their delightful ensemble of skits, songs, and gags this time aimed at Jane Austen’s first novel with lashings of Regency romp raising the bar high even if there are a few low flying beams to watch out for. All actors want to perform in a theatre-in-the-round but with nowhere to hide, only the best can deliver: The Pantaloons served up a theatrical masterclass tonight and a timely reminder of how great theatre can be.
Sisters Elinor (Alex Rivers) and Marianne (Cicely Halkes-Wellstead) along with their mother are somewhat down on their luck and effectively palmed off by their older half-brother when their father dies to live on the estate of a cousin, Sir John Middleton (Christopher Smart). Elinor is disconsolate as she had become close to Edward Ferrars (Smart), the brother of her half-brother’s wife, Fanny, but being the sensible one she hides it well. Meanwhile, Colonel Brandon (Alex Hargreaves) has taken a liking to Marianne, but she is more swayed by the dashing Mr Willoughby (Hargreaves) who comes to her assistance when she sprains her ankle during a walk.
But when the men head off to London on business, all is not as it seems, and when the sisters take a trip to the capital to catch up with them, events soon begin to unravel as do several other young ladies. Throw in those two notorious Regency dangers – rain and wet grass – and one can only wonder whether our two girls are going to survive to the end of the story let alone marry a man of their dreams.
Much credit to writer and producer Mark Heyward who has successfully distilled a 120,000-word novel into just 14,000 words, and with an axe taken to some of the less interesting characters, it all perfectly finesses into two hours of frenetic action structured around the original language – with some local and topical references added in for good measure – in this funny and fast-paced adaptation.
With the simplest of staging and an inspired use of the space both on- and off-stage, our talented cast of four deliver romance and heartbreak in droves as they capture multiple roles with the slightest of costume adjustment and the support of an audience who were engaged from the off and revelled in the hilarity throughout. The joy the cast were having tonight was obvious as they mixed it up with occasional ad-libbing to bring the best out of each other. You’ve got to be at the top of your game to not only do that but to be comfortable being on the receiving end of it, and our four tonight were right up there with this superb showcase of live entertainment at its best.
The Pantaloons were established at the University of Kent in 2004 by Mark Hayward, Caitlin Storey and Stephen Purcell. They are a bright and vibrant theatre company whose style draws from a wide variety of popular theatre traditions. There is a strong element of collaboration, both within the group and with their audience, that is clearly evident with an emphasis on physicality and sensitive audience interaction.
Sense & Sensibility performs at Shakespeare North Playhouse on 16th May at 7pm and 17th May at 2pm and 7pm before continuing its UK tour. Further details and booking https://shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk/event/sense-and-sensibility/
The Pantaloons bring great literature to the stage in a form and fashion that is open to all – from 8 to 80 – and for that alone they are to be commended. Sense & Sensibility is just one of their summer productions, alongside A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Robin Hood, performing nationwide with Hamlet Prince of Denmark scheduled for later in the year. Full details on dates and venues throughout the UK and booking information are available at www.thepantaloons.co.uk
Reviewer: Mark Davoren
Reviewed: 15th May 2025
North West End UK Rating: