Review: Pride and Prejudice, Lace Market Theatre

The Lace Market Youth Theatre, again directed by Roger Watson, has a winner on its hands with this Pride and Prejudice. Inevitably some characters have had to be jettisoned – there are three instead of five sisters – but the adaptation is admirably true to the well-loved novel. Happily, much of Jane Austen’s sharpest dialogue is retained.

Annabel Redgate, in what is clearly the stand-out performance of the evening, captures perfectly the spirit of the part of the vacuous Mrs Bennett. She’s nicely contrasted with Joel Walker’s Mr Bingley, cynical and detached, but a somewhat more agreeable character than his counterpart on the printed page.

Officer-mad Lydia (Emily Scothern) and the older and more estimable Jane (Heather Pearson) are splendidly done. And so especially is Elizabeth (Ava Stevens). She shares a great proposal scene with the odious Mr Collins (Will Harrison, who doesn’t over-do the hand-wringing) and a joyous slap-down scene with Emily Brunt’s Lady Catherine, a nasty, snobbish piece of work.

Elizabeth is well matched with the tall and imperious Darcy, played by Joel Heritage, who has real stage presence. Their concluding encounter had at least one jaded reviewer, a grown man, going “Ah!”

Genial and amiable Bingley (Conrad Duncan), cad and bounder Wickham (James Green), indeed, all the characters on stage – sadly, they can’t all be named – are well portrayed. Every actor seems to invest his/her role with something special; there don’t seem to be any small parts.

It’s a simple set with tasteful period furniture. A major pleasure of the production is the choreographed scene changing by the well-delineated servants to period piano music from Aaron Connelly. The costumes, and ladies’ (not actually the gents’, which look suspiciously modern) hairstyles are first-rate.

Whether or not you’re an Austen fan, get yourself a ticket for this one – if you can.

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PRIDE & PREJUDICE
Nottingham Lace Market Theatre

I know, I know you've got images now of Mr Darcy walking out of that lake, shirt clinging etc etc. Well you may not be surprised to find that this scene from the film isn't in the play. From start to end this play, written by Jane Austen, is a joy to behold; well acted, funny, snappy and great delivery from every actor on that stage, and there were many of them, probably one of the biggest casts at the Lace Market Theatre that I'd seen.

23 talented young actors absolutely relishing this classic piece of literature and bringing those classic Austen characters alive along with their many varied foibles. A rollicking fine tale of class, marriages and manners revolving round Elizabeth Bennett, set in early 19th Century England.

Mr Bennett (Joel Walker); Joel managed to bring out the character's wonderful ironic humour, Annabel Redgate was a dream, and a scream, to watch as the wonderful Mrs Bennett, the mother of the five girls and the eager one to get them married off.

Elizabeth was sublimely played by Ava Stevens, slightly aloof but always in control.  Joel Heritage was well cast as the good looking Mr Darcy who finally got his gal in the end, but my favourite character was Mr Collins, played by Will Harrison, who I've seen in several productions at various theatres. Think Rowan Atkinson in a period drama and you'll have an insight into Will's portrayal of the clergyman cousin and heir to the estate, a good monetary catch for a young lady but pompous, and lacking in common sense. A comedy classic character.

Every actor nailed their roles with not a crack in the whole ensemble, and ably directed by Roger Watson. A sumptuous set which transformed from scene to scene with ease and also not lacking in a certain amount of humour with the transitions as well.

An almost full theatre appreciated the humour of Austen and the ability to deliver the clever lines with great expression. Seeing the almost full auditorium was a good sign as there's something good on at all the theatres in Nottingham this week so plenty of choice as to where to hand over your dosh.

Read the original article here.