Jane Austen’s book Pride and Prejudice opens with one of the most famous, and possibly most sexist, lines in the history of English literature. Perhaps the concepts of men being in want of a wife, or marriage being the life goal for women, are things we wouldn’t recognise in our modern western society. But the book, first published over 200 years ago, continues to be as popular as ever and the subject of film and TV series on many occasions. This production at the Theatre Royal Bath is faithful to the plot, which is neatly adapted by Simon Reade and contains no surprises.
Regent’s Park Theatre company have brought their swanky and stylish version of this costume drama to the elegant Theatre Royal in Bath. A rather fitting setting for a story that Jane Austin started writing in about 1796; a time when the city of Bath was one of the largest in England and the Royal Crescent was a mere youngster. The rotating set in this production reminds me of the arc of the Crescent and the roundness of the Circus. The curved balustrades, stairs and balcony are used to frame the scenes, which flow from living room to ballroom as the stage turns. It’s a neat trick and is complemented by some delicate and clever lighting that creates and maintains the mood and atmosphere as the show glides along. There is style, taste and beauty in the costumes and set, which reflects our modern impression of high society in the early 19th century.
The actors deliver the lines of the chief characters in a series of set pieces as the minor roles, servants and underlings waft through and float in the background; all bowing and curtsying as they go. A succession of verbal duals takes place between the main protagonists: Mr Bennet and Mrs Bennet, Elizabeth and Lady Caroline and finally Elizabeth and Darcy. Occasionally the narrative drags a little but there is music and dancing of a refined and delicate nature which intermingles with the dialogue. And the comic lines are well delivered by all the actors, which provides relief from the rather stuffy nature of the subject matter. The expected happy ending arrives softly.
Tafline Steen cuts a piquant figure as the provocative and lively Elizabeth Bennet. The perfect counterpoint to Felicity Montagu’s birdbrained Mrs Bennet, the mother; these two actors steal the show. Benjamin Dilloway gives us a rather dry Darcy and Mathew Kelly is enjoyably funny as Mr Bennet. The rest of the cast are capable and professional as you would expect from this kind of production. Mari Izzard as Lydia deserves a special mention for the way she brightens the second half as her character comes to life.
Nothing predominantly amiss with the show but I was slightly underwhelmed. I’m not sure this kind of novel will ever enliven the stage without some quirky or modern revision. But none the less a pleasant evening’s entertainment, particularly for fans of the book. ★★★☆☆ Adrian Mantle 18th January 2016
Photo – Johan Persson
