There is so much love for the original in this show but the gloriously witty script by McArthur alongside the extraordinary talent of the female actor musician cast delivers an absolute treat and a gem of a production.
The West End cast of Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) | Photo © Matt Crockett
There is so much to enjoy: the simple, hugely effective, static set from Ana Ines Jabares-Pita is overrun by the infectious energy and endearing characters that carry the show with endless humour and joy.
The pace never falters and not a beat is missed in the razor-sharp comedic script and more than occasional innuendo, directed to the finest punctuation mark by Isobel McArthur and Simon Harvey.
Austen’s tale is not lost; if every English revision lesson was this much fun, we would all be experts.
The fine mix of contemporary song against the Austen angst is beautifully crafted by Musical Director Michael John McCarthy whilst Choreographer Emily Jane Boyle brings the worlds together with ease.
The main stay of the show is the outstanding cast; Lucy Gray, Dannie Harris, Leah Jamieson, Emmy Stonelake, Megan Louise Wilson, Ruth Brotherton and Laura Soper.
The show has absolute gem-like moments that cannot be explained but it is the team work of this superb company that allows the production to fly.
Occasionally you get the privilege to watch something that is truly unique and exciting.
It is a breath of fresh air and well deserving of its many awards. It would be wrong not to mention the great lighting design from Colin Grenfell and credit surely where it is due to Jos Houben as listed in the programme for Comedy Staging.
It is hard to imagine that this awesome troop are not already genuinely funny in their own right; but thank goodness someone was there to harness it all and give us all a stunning evening with a well-deserved standing ovation.
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Reviewer: Petra Schofield
