Isobel McArthur's Pride and Prejudice *sort of at Liverpool Playhouse is a riotous, modern adaptation that stays faithful to Jane Austen's 1813 novel while breaking the fourth wall from the very start. The production, which runs until Saturday, October 17, had this reviewer in tears of laughter by its unexpected ending.
As audiences enter, the cast is already among them, dusting the theatre and ushering people in, ensuring the fourth wall is broken down before it could even be established. The five-strong all-female ensemble introduce themselves as the servants of the landed gentry who are the novel's protagonists. They decide to act out the lives of their masters for the audience's benefit and to liven up the drudgery of their days, complete with regional accents and coarse language.
A hilarious whirlwind through the Bennets' world
Before long, the audience is off into the land of the Bennets, Bingleys and FitzWilliam Darcy in what is described as a hilarious whirlwind. The script is clever, witty and fast paced, sweeping the audience along with the cast as Jane falls for the eligible Mr Bingley at the Meryton Ball.
The inclusion of modern-day songs, used as a way for the repressed gentry to explain their feelings, was feared to be a gimmick but proved a great touch, entirely fitting with the plot and sung brilliantly by the talented cast. Songs including You're So Vain and Lady in Red had the reviewer in stitches.
Context and standout performances
The servants also cleverly explained the context of the time, ensuring even those unfamiliar with the plot knew what was going on. When audiences realise that women of the time were not allowed to inherit property or money of any kind, Mrs Bennet's exasperation at her five unmarried daughters becomes more understandable.
The cast are all incredibly talented, but Julia Murray's Mrs Bennet was a real highlight, and Roxanne Morgan's comic timing in her dual roles of Mr Collins and Mary was impeccable. The clever staging helped bring the story to life, with subtle changes of props ensuring audiences always knew which grand house they were in. The costumes were also glorious and in keeping with the Regency period, with Lady Catherine De Bourgh's ensemble described as having to be seen to be believed.
A memorable finale
Pride and Prejudice *sort of is quite simply a riot and a play that will have audiences smiling ear to ear by its end. The final scene, where Mary finally gets her chance to shine, is amazing and had the reviewer literally in tears of laughter. This is certainly one show that won't be forgotten in a hurry.
