Pride and Prejudice at Theatre by the Lake Keswick Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Jo Hardy

I’m sure most of us will be familiar with this story and its characters but this production is something very different, with its subtle references of modern life and lots and lots of laughs.

Adapted from the Jane Austin novel by Kate Hamill and directed by Lotte Wakeham this show is co- produced with Octagon Theatre Bolton, Stephen Joseph Theatre and Hull Truck Theatre in association with Theatre Clwyd.

The story is built around the Bennet family particularly the four sisters and their mother’s mission to get them married off to save the family from ruin.

Of the four sisters it is Elizabeth who leads the story and she has no interest in getting married, I have a soft spot for Lydia maybe because like me she is the youngest sibling, she’s wild, boisterous and likes to drink punch (not a bit like me). Jane is the sweetest most romantic sister and Mary is the one with the dark side who’s idea of a party tune is a funeral march.

Just like Mrs Bennet my choice of favourite kept changing.

Out of the men of course Mr Darcy is dashing and handsome, Mr Bennet is a bit detached and prefers his paper and as for Mr Collins he creeped me out, just from looking at him I knew he would have a clammy handshake.

The entire cast were fabulous, some of them playing two characters, their energy and comedic timing never faltered and I loved the thick northern accents, Joanna Holdens portrayal of Mrs Bennet was hilarious, I think Ben Fensome must be made of putty he seemed to make all his extremities longer and thinner when he was playing Mr Collins and change his face completely.

The background music throughout the show was very clever, string arrangements of classic pop hits each one relevant to the scene being played out i.e. Don’t you want me by Human League and a Beyoncé hit that sounded like it was played on a harpsichord.

This was the best night out I’ve had in a long time, I enjoyed it so much I didn’t want the intermission and couldn’t wait to get back to watch the second half.

To sum it up a one word I would say “joyous” or Mr Darcy might say “I cannot in good conscience pretend to be unmoved indeed I find myself in danger of smiling.”

I don’t think I’ll be spoiling it for anybody by saying it had a happy ending it was beautifully done emotional and a little soggy.

If you are planning a trip to the Lake District I wouldn’t usually wish you a rainy day but for the next few weeks I do just so you might be tempted to go to the theatre to see this show.

Rating: 5/5

Pride and Prejudice is at Theatre by the Lake from 7th Aug – 6th Sept the show runs for 2 hours 35 mins including an interval, performances start and 7.30 each night and there are 2pm matinees on selected dates, ticket prices start at £12 and the show is suitable for ages 11 upwards.

Tickets are available from www.theatrebythelake.com