Pride & Prejudice in Words and Music

Jane Austen’s classic story, Pride and Prejudice (written in 1796/97, two-and-a-third centuries ago), tells the story of the unlikely courtship of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. Despite what Austen called its ‘light and bright and sparkling‘ surface, it explores ever-present issues related to money and matrimony, rank and social class, morality and manners.

Though this is not, by any means, a complete retelling of the mighty tale, it is sufficient to fill the Playhouse with happy, whooping fans, many with fond memories of past BBC adaptations of the important book (and, in particular, the 1995 one with Colin Firth as the smouldering Darcy). 

One of the selling points here is the great BBC score by Carl Davis, played live by Singaporean pianist Melvyn Tan and violinist Madeleine Easton. They whip up a storm, playing earnestly behind actress Nadine Garner, who gives her impression of Jane Austen reading excerpts from the novel.

With many a wink at the audience, Garner wields her opened script aggressively. It’s unusual to have Austen portrayed quite like this – we’re used a meeker, quieter, more ladylike version. But one where she’s almost the equal of Suranne Jones as ‘Gentleman Jack’? Well, it now seems more likely.

With so many changes needed to bring the running time down to 70-minute-plus, the script that she carries must be a kaleidoscope of cuts and elisions. Garner gets to the end with a flourish of joy, and the audience joins in.

The show has been assembled by adapter Gill Hornby and director Tyran Parke. Only Act 2 is the Reading. Act 1 is the Introduction, featuring the two music-makers. Also reading from a script, violinist Easton makes some good points, and there’s some excellent playing. 

But, really, all we want is for the great Pride and Prejudice to begin.

Frank Hatherley

Photographer: Robert Catto