Arguably Austen's most famous work, Pride & Prejudice tells the story of the Bennet family - a mother desperate to see her daughters married off to the finest suitors, five sisters of vastly different sensibilities including Elizabeth, a grounded and stubborn character with a zest for life. Elizabeth (Lizzie) finds herself in the company of Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy, a stern and unforgiving gentleman, who immediately wounds her pride in his sweeping judgement of the worth of her family. The two try to navigate their growing attraction towards one another in spite of their initial contempt, alongside all manner of dramatic twists and turns involving the beloved host of characters.
The challenge with adapting this material is that it has been done so many times (and so very well) before, that a new version must offer an utterly unique take on the story, or bring it to life in such a glorious way that rivals or bests those that have come before it. Unfortunately, neither are achieved in Abigail Pickard Price's production. It seems as though much of the script is taken directly from the original text - not at all a condemnation of the adaption, indeed a welcome familiarity; but when the best part of a play are the words we could read in a book, one fails to see the point in doing anything more.
The cast themselves must be at the very least celebrated for the feat of athleticism it takes to switch between characters with such speed and energy, though we are left wanting for more vivid and distinct characterisation. Luke Barton clearly has range, and delights in his Lydia cameos, but his Darcy feels a little too soft and his Mr Bennet ungrounded; Sarah Gobran's Charlotte Lucas in particular is wonderfully plain, and she gives Jane moments of real honesty, but for the most part there is little depth to her characters, in particular the cartoonish Mrs Bennet; and it is a shame to see April Hughes woefully miscast as Lizzie, when her entire persona screams Lydia Bennet throughout. To be sure, these are gifted performers - and some moments of fantastic direction by Pickard Price, in particular the vibrancy of the dances (Amy Lawrence) - but it feels as though their particular gifts aren't being drawn upon in a way that benefits this portrayal.
The multi-role concept itself is great, but seems out of place in a straight book-to-stage production. In fact, the cast demonstrate their fantastic farcical flare throughout, but it serves to distract rather than evoke the delightful humour we might hope for in these well-known scenes, and little chemistry is built between any of the wonderful relationships which should serve as the driving force of this story. One particularly joyous sequence is that of the Pemberly visit, featuring some expertly funny lighting courtesy of Mark Dymock, and a brilliantly charming dinner scene - lovely, but seemingly suited more to an altogether different production.
The talents and atmosphere felt more reminiscent of 'The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)', and one wonders if this team might better serve themselves by presenting the classic tale with some such gimmick. As it stands, this version does tell the story, but not in a way that adds anything new and might even be a little confusing for those who aren't familiar with the original work.
Pride & Prejudice runs at Jermyn Street Theatre until 7th September.
Review: Penny Lane Photo: Mark Dean