The original novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin features the popular character Mr Darcy whose popularity soared after the television adaptation played by Colin Firth. I’ve personally never watched it so I can’t comment further.

Michael Gillette in the role of Mr Darcy starts the play as he opens and begins to read a recent letter from his long-standing friend Jane Bennett  (Sophie Bradley). Now in their seventies, he reflects with affection about how their relationships began and developed over the years.

The unmarried Bennett sisters Elizabeth (Sophie Bloor) and Jane are proving to be a problem for their Mother Mrs Bennett (Marianne March) who is desperate to ensure they are not left without a husband. When the estate next door is bought by the wealthy single Mr Bingley (Noah Butt) she’s unbearably ecstatic at the prospect of a romantic match.

As the title suggests the path of the relationships in the original text don’t proceed down the same route. Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley take a while to admit to one another how they really feel about each other and without vindictive intentions plan to marry the sisters and enjoy “their walks” as and when they can.

Two hundred years ago (1913) at the time when Austin published her novel homosexual relationships would have been viewed in a far different way and would have been unacceptable. Attitudes at the time meant thousands of men lived a life of lies and fear about their true sexuality. Although none of these are a new revelation.

The script is littered with sarcasm and plenty of comedy one-liners. David Kerby-Kendall who plays the frustrated Mr Bennett delivers some of the best lines, especially towards his overbearing and highly irritating wife Mrs Bennett. The best one being when he tells her to go to the library and look up the meaning to the word “silent” I couldn’t help but give an inwards cheer in agreement. There is a part of his “past” that suggests he understands the situation from a personal perspective, yet it’s a part of the storyline that sadly never develops.

Luke Frederick’s direction takes the audience on an alternative journey through the Bennett, Darcy, and Bingley relationships.  The swift scene changes keep the momentum of the play strong throughout the performance with the furniture moving position representing the different houses the characters were in which worked very well.

Maybe I am not the best judge of how relevant the play would be in today’s society. The themes felt like like they were presented as a new revelation which they certainly weren’t. It’s entertaining and funny but fails to offer anything groundbreaking or new to the stage.

For more information about Gay Pride and No Prejudice please visit the link below.

Three Stars.

Photo credit Lucy Nixon.

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