★★★★★
Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of), produced by Neil Gooding Productions and Woodward Productions, tells the beloved story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy through the eyes of the family’s hilarious servants. It finds an unrelenting joy in the trivial dramas featured in the original story and embraces the utter excitement of seeing a juicy piece of gossip play out right in front of the audience.
The show is a celebration of Jane Austen’s original narrative, while also exuberantly satirising the social trivialities and expectations for women. The classic story follows the five Bennet sisters and their harried mother who is desperate to have them marry men of large fortunes, before they’re made destitute and kicked out of their estate upon their father’s death.
This adaptation reframes the narrative by having five incredibly talented women, as the household servants, play more than fifteen different characters in a jam-packed and exhilarating retelling.
It highlights the ways that the servants may have impacted the original narrative, whether it’s by preventing Elizabeth from throwing away Mr Darcy’s letter or having a room ready at Netherfield Park for an extra guest.
Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) premiered in 2018 at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow and has since travelled across the globe. Its revival on the West End won the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment or Comedy. The 2026 Australian tour has made stops at Melbourne, Sydney, Wollongong, and Canberra, before making its final stop in Brisbane.
Playwright Isobel McArthur highlights the timelessness of Pride and Prejudice and the importance of women’s roles in the narrative. She brings Austen’s humour to the spotlight in a way unlike any other adaptation that weaves together regency mannerisms, modern jokes and fourth wall breaks into an absolute blast from the past. McArthur also previously portrayed the dual roles of Mr Darcy and Mrs Bennet in the show’s award-winning West End production.
Director Simon Harvey creates a wondrous spectacle of physical and verbal comedy that’s guaranteed to have audiences laughing uncontrollably. The combination of classic karaoke hits and upbeat dancing carefully designed by Associate Director and Choreographer Simone Sault, makes Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) a party you wish wouldn’t end.
The stage design by Ana Inés Jabares-Pita is a book lovers dream, with a bookcase filled with vintage hardcover novels that reaches high above the stage and an elegant staircase that’s perfect for dramatic entrances. Her costume designs are both beautifully vibrant and transformative, perfect for the show’s many quick changes.
Teo Vergara’s Elizabeth Bennet is sharper than ever before. Their well-timed expressions and biting sarcasm are thrillingly cutting. This version of Elizabeth is petty, improper and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Especially when Vergara breaks out into an epic rendition of You’re So Vain at the Meryton Ball, dedicated especially to the pompous Mr Darcy after publicly refusing to sing a duet with Elizabeth.
Zoe Ioannou is a marvel playing both Mr Darcy and Mrs Bennet. As the shortest person in the cast, her portrayal of Mr Darcy manages to instil an air of arrogance and superiority while hilariously digging into the tall, dark and handsome archetype.
She plays up the character’s socially awkward nature and obsession with Elizabeth Bennet in scenes that include some very interesting attempts at hugging. Ioannou also brilliantly transforms into the over the top and erratic Mrs Bennet within seconds of exiting the stage.
Portraying both Charles and Miss Bingley, Amy Lehpamer brings an amazing absurdity to the production through the characters’ featherbrained behaviour. From ridiculously climbing over furniture and eccentric dance moves as Miss Bingley to getting her hand stuck in a Pringles can as Charles Bingley, Lehpamer is hysterically entertaining from start to finish.
Kaori Maeda-Judge is excitable and full of emotion in her depiction of Jane Bennet. She brilliantly plays up the devastation of being forced apart from her first love in a way that is comically tragic. Her role as Lady Catherine de Bourgh seems to take up the whole stage as she masterfully attracts the centre of attention.
Playing up to five different characters, Ruby Shannon expertly balances the personalities of the dull Mr Collins, quirky Mary and outgoing Lydia. While her adaptation of Mr Collins is as tedious as ever, it’s the polar opposite of the excitable, chaotic and crude Lydia Bennet. However, it’s Shannon’s performance in Young Hearts Run Free that steals the show.
Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) is a regency romp that gives a middle finger to tradition and embraces the giddy chaos of girlhood. It’s a triumph that’s chock full of vibrant enthusiasm, off the charts musical talent and general hilarity. Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) will have audiences doubled over and kicking their feet, wishing for more.
Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) runs in Brisbane to 18 October at the Playhouse, QPAC as the final stop on its national tour.
Tickets: https://www.prideandprejudicesortof.com.au/#book
Website: https://www.prideandprejudicesortof.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/prideandprejudicesortofau/
Photo credits: Matthew Chen
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