Pride and Prejudice
Birmingham Rep, Tuesday 3 November 2009
Based on the novel by Jane Austen, adapted for the stage by Simon Reade

On what had been a very wet and blustery day it was very cheering to see once again the “House Full” sign outside the theatre. This Theatre Royal Bath touring production boasts well known stars and a literary classic and I am sure these both attracted the crowds. This was the very first night of the tour and there were still some rough edges to smooth and polish but it was very clear that this was a top end production and had the potential to do well as the tour rolled out (Nov 09-Feb 10).

Susan Hampshire was perfectly cast as Mrs Bennett and wore some beautiful costumes that depicted the time slot. She portrayed a wonderful mixture of eccentricity and scheming that kept her most gleeful and the audience amused. Most often seen on television who could forget her landmark role as Fleur in the BBC adaptation of “The Forsyte Saga” or more recently that of Molly in “Monarch of the Glen”. She is a fine actress.

Mr Bennett was played by that well known television face Peter Ellis and having done 16 years in “The Bill” playing Chief Supt Brownlow, he was immediately recognised, but in his 18th century costume looked quite the toff and carried the role off well.

The experienced stage actress Carolyn Pickles played the wealthy and dictatorial Lady Catherine de Bourgh with great stage presence and projection. Again, wonderful costumes and a striking performance.

And of special mention, Tom Mothersdale who as the dislikeable Mr Collins was larger than life and quite amusing throughout the evening.

The two young male leads, Nicholas Taylor as Mr Darcy and Alex Felton as Mr Bingley looked splendid in their tailored costumes but were let down particularly in Act One by insufficient voice projection which resulted in bits of the plot being missed. It is vital in such a work as this that all the words are heard and the story followed. They were better in Act Two and it was clear that they both could project their voices unaided, so well done on that.

The young ladies were a delightful group and appeared to thoroughly enjoy their roles with Violet Ryder as Jane and Katie Lightfoot as Elizabeth bringing to life all the emotions of courtship or not in the 18th century.

I was not convinced that the somewhat minimal set added to the production and there were times when the actors seemed very alone on the large stage when a bit more luxury and substance might have added to the visual appeal in the way that their costumes did. Also the recorded music seemed at times be in conflict with the dialogue and would benefit from being refined.

And finally, last night during Act One a mobile telephone in the audience rang 5 times and on one occasion appeared to ring continually for a few minutes. I think it is wise to remind people at the start of every performance to “switch off” their phones. I’m sure this must have frustrated the actors on stage so remember there were no telephones in the 18th century and enjoy the play!

Clive Fuller

Run Sheet for this production 2009/2010

02 November 2009 to 07 November 2009
Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Birmingham

09 November 2009 to 14 November 2009
Playhouse, Erith

09 November 2009 to 14 November 2009
Arts Theatre, Cambridge

16 November 2009 to 21 November 2009
Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester

23 November 2009 to 28 November 2009
Richmond Theatre, Outer London
30 November 2009 to 05 December 2009
Theatre Royal, Windsor

07 December 2009 to 12 December 2009
Theatre Royal - Ustinov Studio, The Egg, Bath

25 January 2010 to 30 January 2010
Malvern Theatres - The Cinema, Forum Theatre, Festival Theatre, Malvern

08 February 2010 to 13 February 2010
Theatre Severn - Quarry/Walker Theatre, Shrewsbury