Pride, Prejudice, and plenty of laughs
As surely as it is known that “it is a truth universally acknowledged,that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife”It is also a universal truth that PRIDE AND PREJUDICE will be portrayed withthe stiff formality of prior Austen adaptations – it’s the law. Thankfully, the Kate Hamill adaption nowplaying at the Cygnet Theatre through June 16th takes all of thestarch out of the proceedings and adds in a bit of zany fun instead.
This is not a P&P for the purists. If the idea of playing this story anythingbut ramrod straight gives you the vapors then this may not be the show foryou. This talented comedic cast takesthe reins and runs, with some additional interjections with modern music anddance to keep the audience guessing.
No worries, the same characters and story are allthere. Elizabeth (Jacque Wilke) is stillset against marriage, while her lovely and mild older sister Jane (Joy YvonneJones) has caught both the eye and the heart of the wealthy and eligiblebachelor Mr. Bingley (Kevin Hafso-Koppman). It’s Bingley’s friend Darcy (Steven Lone) who will ultimately win Lizzie’sheart, but they both have to get over themselves a bit before that can happen.
Mrs. Bennet (Shana Wride) is the always semi-hysterical motherversus her more logical and calm husband (Adrian Alita). They each disagree on goals for their girls, Jane,Elizabeth, Lydia (Michelle Marie Trester), and Mary (also Hafso-Koppman).
Before everything can be wrapped up in a happy ending, thereare annoying cousins, snobby society matrons, rakes in military uniforms, and manymiscommunications. Of course there’s allthat pride and prejudice the main characters have that need to be addressed aswell.
Wilke’s Elizabeth is no wilting flower who stands up to Lone’s Darcy, and isn’t afraid to speak her mind to him, nor is she won over by typical society wealth and status symbols. Wilke tempers Elizabeth’s tart tongue with her obvious love for her family, though they may drive her mad at times. As Darcy, Lone succeeds in keeping him charming as well as the ultimate straight man to all of the characters around him running around expressing their emotions and opinions all of the time.
Wride and Trester are truly a comedic, dynamic duo, bringingboth the characters of Mrs. Bennet and Lydia to life not only with such humor,but manage to add depths to the characters that usually are not there. This might very well be the first time I’vefound these characters endearing in their insane and overdramatic ways.
The ensemble plays many roles, and the changes happen fastand furiously (mostly on stage) adding to the heightened pace and energy of thecomedy. Jake Millgard covers three roles including the pretentious preacherCollins, and the dastardly Wickam; but honestly won my heart as the judgmentaland pretentious Caroline Bingley. Tresterbrings the daunting Lady Catherine to life, while Jones channels her equallyjudgey daughter Anne, and Alita makes a sweet Charlotte (beard and all). Hafso-Koppman brings a whirlwind of energyand madness to Mary, the sister the family keeps trying to forget as they alldeal with their problems.
Directed by Rob Lufty the comedy moves quickly and with intensity. Choreography by Michael Mizerany tosongs from Madonna, The Pointer Sisters, and Cyndi Lauper to name a few, keepeverything fun and mix the older with the more modern. The set by Sean Fanning allows for all of thequick changes, zany entrances and exits, and madcap mischief.
Don’t get me wrong, the 8 hour BBC adaption that introducedthe world to Colin Firth as the Darcy to measure all future Darcy’s against isstill a classic in my opinion. However, it’s nice to see the aura of pomp and primnessthat usually surrounds this piece being pierced and allowing the entertaining socialcriticism shine through as a comedy.
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE is playing at the Cygnet Theatre throughJune 16th in Old Town. For performancetimes and tickets please go to www.cygnettheatre.com