Having seen Pride & Prejudice (*sort of) last time it popped into Oxford in 2020, we understand why tickets are selling out fast, our review headline reading “If you see one show this year make sure this is it’. READ OUR REVIEW FROM 2020 HERE
So news that the hilarious, fast-paced and witty retelling of the Austen classic is back, seen through a modern lens, complete with dance tracks, Irn-Bru and an all women cast, had us spiralling with excitement.
Here to tell us all about it is cast member Susie Barrett, currently on tour with Pride & Prejudice (*sort of), which is at Oxford Playhouse all next week.
So what’s in store? “Oh it’s so much fun, she smiles. “People come back time and time again because it’s so hilarious and relatable. But while it’s enormous fun to perform, it is a very tight, slick, concise production with lots of room for silliness.
‘fundamentally, Pride & Prejudice (*sort of) is about coming out for a laugh and some much earned escapism’
“And while Pride & Prejudice (*sort of) is faithful to the book, it focuses more on the humour within, because Austen’s characters are so brilliantly observed, from Mrs Bennet to Mr Darcy, we can really go to town with it.”
The whole tale is also related by the servants, but as Susie explains: “They are so intrinsic and know everything that’s going on, and they give us licence to play all of the numerous characters between us, without veering away from the original story. But as the Directer Isobel McArthur is an Austenite, it’s all done with great fondness and care.”
‘Directer Isobel McArthur is an Austenite so it’s all done with great fondness and care’
And what of the Austen purists? “They love it too because everyone can relate to Pride & Prejudice’s themes of love, family and dating, as well as the characters themselves, and Elizabeth Bennet is still one of the most recognisable feminine heroines of all time.”
“So we hope Pride & Prejudice (*sort of) might also introduce Austen to those who haven’t read her books, those who might think that period drama is a bit stuffy and uptight, so there is something for everyone.
‘we hope Pride & Prejudice (*sort of) might also introduce Austen to those that think that period drama is a bit stuffy and uptight’
“But fundamentally Pride & Prejudice (*sort of) is about coming out for a laugh and some much earned escapism, so we really feed off the audience and have great fun with it,” Susie adds.
“So if you’re not sure, give it a go because it’s hilarious, but you’ll need to hurry up because I don’t think there’s many tickets left.”
PRIDE & PREJUDICE* (*SORT OF) is at Oxford Playhouse from Monday March 10 – Saturday March 15. Book here: https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/pride-prejudice-sort-of
