It is a truth universally acknowledged, that an English graduate would have read Pride and Prejudice - except I haven't.
I'm not entirely sure how I've managed to escape reading this Jane Austen classic. I have read (and enjoyed); Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park and Persuasion. So why not P &P? I have no excuse really; I haven't even seen the iconic BBC series featuring a damp Colin Firth emerging from a pond! Therefore, I couldn't imagine what Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) was going to be like.
I was very lucky to get to go: a co-worker unfortunately couldn't attend last minute, so offered up her tickets. Having since looked up the prices, I would say that they are not extortionate, ranging from £10 to £40 on LoveTheatre.
The play begins with five maids explaining that the protagonists of Romance novels only succeed in love because of their hard work; cleaning large manor houses, primping prospective brides, overhearing conversations with crucial information etc. The servants who hover in the background of any 19th Century RomCom make things possible for the main characters.
Much to my surprise the maids then launched into Elvis Costello's Everyday I Write the Book. I was unaware that this production would involve singing, but karaoke plays a large part of Isobel McArthur's play. For example, when Mr Darcy slights Lizzy Bennet at a ball she dives into You're So Vain.
The songs McArthur chose updates the story and heightens the comedy, so much so that I have been persuaded to download the novel on my Kindle. Now that I have seen this play, I will pay extra attention to the obscure servants.
Edit: I have discovered that unfortunately Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) has closed due to low ticket sales. Fingers crossed it comes back soon!
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