Review: Pride and Prejudice at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Pride and Prejudice

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre 

Reviewed on Wednesday 26th June 2013

This adaptation of the classic Jane Austin novel provides a charming night at the theatre, despite its length and its tendency to slip into pantomime.

Not having read the novel, I am unable to compare this play with the original. However, Simon Reade's script suitably translates the idiom and feel of the period onto stage. We are instantly transported into another world by the scene-setting mantra of society: “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” The narrative shows that a woman, though, wants more than just a man with a good fortune. The dialogue is eloquent and often witty, though at times a little difficult to follow. The music and simple, elegant set contribute well to the specificities of time and place.

David Oakes and the young Jennifer Kirby are both excellent as the protagonist-couple. Rob Heaps is very endearing as the excitable Mr Bingley. There is a tendency for some actors to ham-up the action, notably Rebecca Lacey whose portrayal of Mrs Bennet is far too over-the-top and consequently loses much of the humour present in the script.

The pantomime element even extends to a convoluted scene change in which props and sets collide into the in-scene actor. The script is strong enough to not require these moments; the written humour supports itself and should be trusted. That said, there are some wonderfully touching moments, particularly an intimate and touching scene between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy at the end of Act One.

It took me a while to warm up to this production, but once I started caring about the plight of the two leads, I could ignore and forgive the small inadequacies of the piece and enjoy it.

Reviewed by Ted McMillan
ted@westendframe.com

Pride and Prejudice runs at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre until 20th July 2013.
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Photo Credit: Johan Persson

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