Christine Steel Archives - North West End UK

Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) – Leeds Grand Theatre

28May

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) – Leeds Grand Theatre

I have to confess I’ve always found Regency novels like Pride & Prejudice excruciatingly boring but this tongue in cheek romp through Jane Austen’s masterpiece is the exact opposite. The vague premise of the show is that we see the antics of the Bennet family, and assorted posh folk in Meryton, from the perspective of the servants. Isobel McArthur who loosely adapted the novel uses that device to allow five incredibly hardworking and funny women the chance to play all the characters as they hurtle on and off stage. This show is in the best traditions of British farce, which probably has some Austen superfans clutching their pearls in disgust, especially as our Bennet girls are a bit potty mouthed. However, if you’re not a tiresome snob then it’s a chance to enjoy a ribald trip th...

Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) – Festival Theatre

23Apr

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) – Festival Theatre

Accomplished Scottish writer, actor and director, Isobel McArthur, has taken the old adage, while the cats away the mice will play and crafted an absolute winner in Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of). It is hilarious and superbly performed by an ensemble of talented actors. Costume changes happen as if Houdini were channeled (or maybe Derren Brown with his clever psychology and hypnotism). Characters leave the stage and re-enter at the speed of light, transformed into a newly minted persona! It is brilliant! It is funny! It is hugely entertaining and modern. Of course, the occasional black-out and the odd bit of glitter ball dancing all elevate the fun, thanks to the lighting designer, Colin Grenfell. The cast can sing, dance and act their socks off and when this is combined with an...

Pride & Prejudice (Sort of) – Richmond Theatre

26Feb

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

London

Pride & Prejudice (Sort of) – Richmond Theatre

Welcome to the story of Jane Austin’s most famous novel Pride & Prejudice like you have never seen it before. This is not a serene period drama, but a love story between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, and the Bennet’s family race against time to get their five daughters married off for financial security. Yes it is familiar, but this is five women calling themselves the ‘servants of house’ telling the story from a whole new perspective. Right from the first few lines you start to get a feel of what is to come ‘in a good way’ comedy, mayhem and female drama. The story lands in the present day, with familiar language and terminology, including expletives not for the faint hearted which drew gasps from the audience. The five female performers acted out ‘...

Pride & Prejudice (*Sort of) – Sheffield Lyceum

15Jan

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Pride & Prejudice (*Sort of) – Sheffield Lyceum

Without doubt, the best theatre I have seen in years! Jane Austen’s classic Romantic Comedy novel, Pride & Prejudice published in 1813, is given this reshaping with exquisite insight and the voice of today’s much freer woman by Isobel McArthur in this modern stage version. The result has all the idiosyncrasies of the original with its underlying disclosure of reputation and family, still allegorically coded within but now with a freedom that allows a modern audience to heartedly laugh at the societal pressures of the era. This 21st- century microscope of a show, still explicably explores the interwoven themes of sexism, class and, the ache of relevance and foremost, the production retains the ‘Love’ questions, should love be enduring? Is there a perfect ‘one’? Or maybe love is someo...