Pride and Prejudice

By Jane Austen

Adapted by Helen Jerome

Performed by Combined Actors 

When I was at school, one of the set texts for 'A' level was Emma. This put me off Jane Austen for life! Page after page where nothing happens. (A forerunner of the Big Brother house perhaps.) Therefore it was with some trepidation that I ventured along to the ADC to do an emergency front of house stint on opening night. Should I take a book to read, or would that be rather rude? Better not. After all, it could only go on for three or four hours at the most. Oh well, here goes. 

I settled down with a very healthy first night audience, both in number and actual health, as there was the least amount of coughing throughout the play that I have ever known. This was probably due to the fact that, like me, from beginning to end, they were completely spellbound by this show. From the time the curtain rose to reveal an excellent drawing room set, designed by Carole Sammon and Philip West, on through Aunt Gardiner's home in Cheapside, then to Lady Catherine's drawing room and finally back to the original setting, we were enthralled. Congratulations should not only go to the set designers, but also to the Penguins for bringing us these three locations seemingly effortlessly in a very short space of time. 

I don't propose to go over the story (it's the usual Jane Austen stuff) but what really surprised me was the amount of comedy there was on offer. I honestly don't remember even smiling at the book (I yawned a few times) but here was an evening of genuinely funny lines. Most of this of course was down to the delivery of the actors and what a fine bunch they were. Mr and Mrs Bennet (Hugh Mellor and Rocca Russell) were absolutely exceptional. I was quite able to believe that they had been married and quarrelling together for years. Their daughters were all well portrayed, especially Elizabeth played by Catriona Clancy. Keith Reville made a fine Mr Darcy, whilst Simon Hirst as Mr Collins was completely in his element. These were extremely well supported by the rest of this excellent cast. 

With all the work that had gone into this show to make it the undoubted success it was, from the settings, the acting, the excellent costumes and lighting, I was disappointed that the programme was such a let down. To be in keeping with the rest of the evening, I would have expected more than a sheet of card folded in half. Whilst I don't want thirteen pages of adverts, something a little better wouldn't have gone amiss. 

Amateur drama on TV is often portrayed as wobbly sets and the local vicar running on shouting 'Anyone for tennis?' If you know anybody who has the same opinion about the hobby we love, tell him or her to watch a video of this production. That should change their minds. 

Chris Shinn