Night Out At: Pride and Prejudice

“20 local community actors stage an exciting new version of the classic romance; reimagining her story set in a contemporary Northern town”.

Pride and Prejudice at Shakespeare North Playhouse. A modern Northern Twist on an Austen classic. 

Written by Rob Brannen

Long-standing community Theatre Company,  Imaginarium has been working hard since September to put on a delightfully colourful and bonkers northern and modern twist on Pride and Prejudice. Each character had their distinctive colour and style and we are transported in the first scene to the Bennets` council House bedroom whereby they introduce themselves by singing to us; not unlike the Spice Girls! The whole thing had a lovely upbeat feel. It is a mixture of the Musical Six and the bedroom scene with Sandy and the girls in Grease.

Some members of the company were simultaneously background artists and main characters which was impressive also, intermittently becoming stage hands, seamlessly moving props on and off stage. There were some changes to the characters in keeping with modern times.

The character of Collins was very cleverly now a creepy landlord as opposed to a Clergyman to the Bennets and worked really well. There was a kindly cousin to D'Arcy which highlighted his social awkwardness. Whickham was now a DJ with a penchant for underage girls, drugging them and selling lewd pictures across social media which is a death knell, in modern times. This was distressing but tastefully done. The character of Lydia Bennet and D'Arcy sister, who both underwent the same fate were both dressed in red which was very striking and helped solidify the unfortunate connection. His sidekicks were comical and gelled well with Mrs Bennett; an overgrown child herself, in many ways.

The younger girls, Lydia and Kitty were obsessed with social media and consumed with becoming social media stars.The characters used all the space available even going into the audience on all levels which made it truly immersive.  Lizzy at one point looking in horror at Georgina ( D'Arcy`s sister) in the upper gallery being groomed by Whickham and Austen at the opposite side of the Theatre, regaling the tale.

It was such a delightful performance and captured the imagination. How one can get totally immersed in the story.Austen herself as a ghost, assisting Lizzy to be more faithful to the text but composed as one does as a reader when you are putting it in context with the times. A lovely touch was they were both working lilac ( Austen wearing a touch of it). A nod to the fact that of all Austen's characters, Lizzy is most like her. And exciting for me was there were Actors new to me which I will be keeping an eye on. Casting was on point and D'Arcy and Lizzy simply sizzled with chemistry.

I liked the inventive way that notable places within the novel became well known landmarks in Merseyside and some outrageous wigs and costumes. Including the chat and chat up with Lizzy and Wickham was set at a bus stop which suddenly got moved! 

I particularly loved Mrs Bennet's enormous rollers and tangerine coloured tassle jumper along with her hen night outfit. Oh, the hen night! And let's just say, amusing headgear which lent its way to some very amusing jokes!

Mr Bennet's hysterical and rude song which was delightfully unexpected. That zany part of his personality always did look like it was dying to come out, though in the original novel.

Lizzy makes her way to Bingley’s mansion in the rain to visit her sister and a delightfully short Umbrella dance routine set to "Umbrella" by Rihanna. Mary became a black wearing, deadly serious Yamaha-playing out of tune singing lady of the deeply pretentious concept album variety. A cross between Kate Bush and Souixie Soux ( of Siouxsie and the Banshees). Although, she did venture out of her shell with some sequins, albeit black ones at the hen party and expressed some joy-filled moments. She is up there as one of my favorites!

One of my other favorite characters was the fantasy survey lady who came in at the most inopportune (and comical moments) to Lizzy asking, inane or inappropriate questions which was an absolute joy! This character made her way to the public afterwards with a cameraman to ask them questions about social media and funding as a community group which was a lovely touch.

The letters/ email back and forth between D'Arcy and Lizzy (and the sceptre of Austen) and D'Arcy disclosing his autism as a reason perhaps for his aloofness. There was a lot of information not coming through on the email, unlike the letter Austen had. A little nod to the fact that social media isn't all it's cracked up to be and information can often be misinterpreted. D'Arcy, ironically is in communications. Maybe it's just facts he's more comfortable with.

The Aria at the start of the second act which Austen introduced.  I felt like I sat in Catherine De Berg's drawing room. I wished I knew what it was called. It was absolutely beautiful.

The wonderful, well-choreographed dance routines, one of which was repeated as Lizzy is invited by Austen back in time to the Netherfield Ball ( as opposed to Pemberley Ball).

Just generally, the thoughtful reimaginings of well known scenarios. D'Arcy’s home became a Merseyside garden centre and D'Arcy's home just happened to be nearby and Wickham and Lydia's sordid jaunt morphed into the New Brighton Music Festival. It was particularly satisfying that the famous exchanges were left in but now and then, Lizzy couldn't help herself and swore as a reaction to her frustration with D'Arcy. 

Every single character was a delight,  the costumes were incredible. The modern, colour coded costumes which in the second half became Georgian and finally almost becoming a merging of the two, highlighting what, in effect, had happened to the story.

The idea of the colour coded costumes was a clever touch and the colours chosen suited the characters personality for example green for the sensible, grounded Charlotte Lucy's, Brown for D'Arcy and Bingley, ( earthy, land loving types),lilac for the spiritual and free spirited Lizzy, Orange for the Bennet parents who are unconventional and confident. Red for Georgina and Lydia who unwittingly became the ' Scarlet women'.

Gaynor,  the Director spoke to the audience after the show and described the immense hard work that had gone into it. My soul was nourished by a performance of New writing and music performed by ordinary folk, just like me. You think you know a story but actually seeing it performed differently helps you to see new things and make new connections. And my heart certainly was full after a wonderful time traveling in Prescot. Or should I say, Preccleston?

Keep up with Imaginarium and everything they are up to and how you can get involved by following their Social media.

Covered By: Clare Mgrath