Pride & Prejudice* (*Sort Of) Review York Theatre Royal

By Rachel Crow, November 2024

Controversial though this may be I’ve never really understood the fascination with Jane Austen. So why, you might ask, would I want to see a theatrical adaptation of one her most famous stories, Pride & Prejudice? Well, this isn’t just another retelling of a classic novel, Pride & Prejudice* (*Sort Of) elevates period drama to a whole new level. Since winning the best New Entertainment or Comedy Play at the Olivier Awards in 2022 I’ve heard nothing but great things about the production so I was keen to see if it lived up to its reputation.

First things first, if you’re a purist this really isn’t for you –  it’s cheeky and irreverent and very, very sweary.

As we take our seats at York Theatre Royal a number of domestic servants stop dusting and polishing and sharply exit the auditorium, reappearing moments later on stage. A slight problem with the sound means the opening number lacks a little punch and it takes a few minutes for the audience to catch up. However, once resolved, and with the audience up to speed, it’s full steam ahead for this fast paced romp through the Regency period.

“Hurtles through the pages”

We’re introduced to five female domestic servants who recount the romance and heartbreak of the Bennett sisters as they search for a husband in order to protect the family’s wealth.

Jane (the eldest of five girls) falls for wealthy bachelor Charles Bingley but he spurns her affections following the intervention of his dear friend FitzWilliam Darcy. Darcy however, is captivated by Jane’s sister Elizabeth (Lizzy) but she fails to see his charms. Meanwhile, Bingley’s sister Caroline is besotted with Darcy and his aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh has designs on her nephew for her own daughter. Confused? Remember, according to Austen “it is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”

Thankfully society has moved on somewhat since then and this all-female production proudly exhibits it feminism front and centre.

From corsets to courtships, the production hurtles through the pages of Austen’s beloved novel at breakneck speed with tremendous humour and humility. Take a bow Susie Barrett, Emma Rose Creaner, Rhianna McGreevy, Naomi Preston Low and Christine Steel who are without a doubt some of the hardest working artists in the biz.

‘Pride & Prejudice* (*Sort Of)’ is at York Theatre Royal until 9th November