Pride And Prejudice (adapted from Jane Austen by Pamela Whalan)

It is not only fans of Jane Austen’s much-loved novel, centred as it is on romantic manoeuvres in early 19th century England, who have been delighted by this witty and excellently staged adaptation, audience comments too, make it clear that people unfamiliar with the book also had a good time.

The title of the play refers to the relationship between the Bennets’ second oldest daughter, Elizabeth, and Mr Darcy, a wealthy but reserved man who is the subject of marital scheming by many people, including his imperious aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and Miss Bingley, the sister of one of his friends.

In this version of ‘Pride And Prejudice’ much of the background is provided by the conversations between Mrs Bennet and Lady Lucas. They are both from families of limited means, and both have daughters of marriageable age, so the seeking of husbands for their offspring is foremost in their talk. There is a delightful cut and thrust and a marked competitiveness in their discussions, with triumphant looks and scowls on display, when the one-upmanship leads to a momentary ascendancy.

Elizabeth and Mr Darcy beautifully define the changing nature of their relationship, with Elizabeth gradually discarding the prejudice against Mr Darcy that the comments of Mr Wickham and others have promoted, as Mr Darcy puts aside his pride and reveals the truth behind some of the things said about him. Pamela Whalan in adapting the novel subtly shows the beginning of the change in a scene where the two meet while Elizabeth is visiting her recently married friend, Charlotte Lucas. Elizabeth and Mr Darcy stand on opposite sides of the room, but as he talks about the things he has done to protect other people the audience can sense their spirits moving closer together.

Mr Bennet is a more wryly practical manager of his daughters’ behaviour and expectations than his wife, and the girls themselves are a lively mixture: the eldest Jane is demurely devoted to the lovestruck Mr Bingley; bookish Mary makes longing glances at some of the men who visit; and Lydia and Kitty giggle with teenage glee over men and most other things in their lives.

There’s a dark humour to unctuous Mr Collins, one of Elizabeth’s suitors; a decided practicality to Charlotte, who weds without love to avoid being an old maid; an outward charm that doesn’t hide the scheming duplicity of Mr Wickham; an abrasive edge to Mr Bingley’s plotting sister; a genuine caring to Elizabeth’s Aunt Gardiner; and the ‘grande dame’ Lady Catherine sweeps all before her imperiously when she deigns to visit the lesser mortals.