Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) - Criterion Theatre / Tour

[amp09]

Nov 11, 2021 13:27:09 GMT jamb0r said:

Really enjoyed this last night! Such a talented cast and some real belly laughs.

I have minimal knowledge of the source material (save a few key plot points and references to Colin Firth being wet!) but I didn't feel like that hindered my enjoyment at all. I think I'll watch one of the screen adaptations and go back for a second visit to catch whatever I missed.

The audience seemed to love it and a full standing ovation at the end.

Was the same with minimal knowledge. Felt that made it all the better as I didn’t see jokes coming from a mile off like quite a few people did.

[fiyerorocher]

The little preshow tonight was slightly derailed when the glove fell from the chandelier extremely prematurely and they had no idea what to do :') They did manage to get somewhat back on track, but it gave me a good laugh.

[orchidman]

The Criterion Theatre is yet again the place to be for fans of basic comedy.

If you find women swearing and Scottish and Northern Irish accents inherently hilarious then let me tell you it's your lucky day.

It's introduced as though they are going to retell Pride and Prejudice from the servants perspective but evidently that would be a lot more work than just playing the 2005 film for cheap laughs. Albeit this means it ends up way too long for a comedy play.

The cast are likeable and talented but don't go expecting anything sophisticated.

[edi]

This was so much fun last night, completely unexpected. What I appreciated about it specifically is that it follows the plot faithfully, so you got to see the Austin story but with humour.

I have to add that the only reason I went was this forum, because from the pictures and the title this is not what I expected. I thought it would end up silly and cringy. I am just wondering aloud why it's not selling better.

[properjob]

Nov 12, 2021 7:39:47 GMT edi said:

This was so much fun last night, completely unexpected. What I appreciated about it specifically is that it follows the plot faithfully, so you got to see the Austin story but with humour.

I have to add that the only reason I went was this forum, because from the pictures and the title this is not what I expected. I thought it would end up silly and cringy. I am just wondering aloud why it's not selling better.

I think you've answered your own question in that it is going to rely on word of mouth which worked on you. It just depends on how quickly word of mouth works.
In its favour I assume it isn't that expensive to run so maybe doesn't need very full houses to cover its costs.

[TallPaul]

Over the last three decades, the Criterion has carved out something of a niche as the home of last-minute slow-selling long-runners, if I can put it like that.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - March 1996 to April 2005.

The 39 Steps - September 2006 to September 2015.

The Comedy About a Bank Robbery - March 2016 to March 2020.

It doesn't scan, but a of name change to The Pride and Prejudice would guarantee success* (*sort of)! 🙂

[fiyerorocher]

They're definitely relying on word of mouth. Preview seats were all £25 and there have been a lot of deals, I presume to get as many people through the door as possible. They're still heavily papering each show, though :/ At least the auditorium is full, and maybe more people to spread the good word :') I hope it picks up for them or I'm not sure I see them lasting until April. I took a friend and she was already talking about going back to see it again as we were walking up the stairs to leave, so it does go down really well with people, you just have to get them in the door first! It doesn't help that their trailers aren't great and don't really get the vibe of the show across very well.

[lynette]

Is this any good? I need to know before i inflict it on my long suffering family. Also suitable for 12 and 9 yr olds? ta 

[lightinthedarkness]

There's a thread for it in Musicals here:
theatreboard.co.uk/thread/7268/pride-prejudice-sort-criterion-theatre

It's really not a musical though! A few music karaoke style parts but it's definitely more of a play.
I thought it was absolutely hilarious, and would highly recommend it. I would think those ages would enjoy it but there is a fair amount of swearing!

[fiyerorocher]

I personally wouldn't take a nine year old. I don't think it would appeal to children all that much, but I would recommend it (and indeed have been recommending it) to every adult who will stop for long enough to listen. It's fantastic!

[teatowel]

When it was on at the Bristol Old Vic on its tour, the recommendation on the publicity was 12+

[lynette]

Thanks guys. I didn’t see the musicals thread because I didn't think it was a musical…

[fiyerorocher]

Nov 15, 2021 0:18:43 GMT lynette said:

Thanks guys. I didn’t see the musicals thread because I didn't think it was a musical…

It isn't :') Everyone who's seen it is in agreement. And I think the woman who wrote it also said it wasn't a musical. But here the thread remains, so I think we're all just going with it at this point. More people are probably likely to see the thread if it stays here, so that's good at least. Sell a few more tickets.

[rosscoe]

This was simply a delight from start to joyous finish. Spontaneous clapping , an audience that was having as much fun as the five young ladies on the stage. So glad I saw it, an absolute highlight of my trip

[BurlyBeaR]

Nov 15, 2021 0:26:11 GMT fiyerorocher said:

Nov 15, 2021 0:18:43 GMT lynette said:

Thanks guys. I didn’t see the musicals thread because I didn't think it was a musical…

It isn't :') Everyone who's seen it is in agreement. And I think the woman who wrote it also said it wasn't a musical. But here the thread remains, so I think we're all just going with it at this point. More people are probably likely to see the thread if it stays here, so that's good at least. Sell a few more tickets.

And yet no one has hit that little report button and asked for it to be moved have they! 

So over to Plays it is. 

[lynette]

I just do it to annoy people..

[fiyerorocher]

Nov 15, 2021 18:41:31 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

Nov 15, 2021 0:26:11 GMT fiyerorocher said:

It isn't :') Everyone who's seen it is in agreement. And I think the woman who wrote it also said it wasn't a musical. But here the thread remains, so I think we're all just going with it at this point. More people are probably likely to see the thread if it stays here, so that's good at least. Sell a few more tickets.

And yet no one has hit that little report button and asked for it to be moved have they! 

So over to Plays it is. 

Aha I didn't really mind either way. But here is probably where it best belongs

[ellesbelles]

Not a musical but some very good placements of songs which got many laughs!

Enjoyed this- a great cast, really funny even for those less familiar with P&P.

[teatowel]

Isobel McArthur and Tori Burgess talked about the show on BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour this morning:

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0011lrs
(About 40mins in)

[fiyerorocher]

Good TodayTix Black Friday deal for this - top price seats reduced to £35 through to February, if anyone is in the market for a good night out for about half price

[fiyerorocher]

They seem to have taken front row off sale for this for every performance. Potential ticket lottery being introduced?

[david]

As my first show in my festive theatre trip to London, it’s got off to a fantastic start. Picking up one of the £35 seats in the stalls, it was worth every penny with 2.5hrs of non stop comedy and music provided by the brilliant cast of 5 ladies from the pre-show scene to the final song at the end keeping both myself and the rest of the audience thoroughly entertained. The combination of drama and the music (some really great songs are used here.- that Act 2 opener was brilliant) really worked well here to tell the story. Writer and cast member Isobel McArthur really has written a real gem of a show and certainly in the stalls tonight seemed pretty full tonight.

I’ll definitely recommend seeing this if you get a chance. Forget the BBC adaptation, this is the Pride and Prejudice version you want to see.

Rating - 5⭐️

Edit - Great idea with the click and collect preordering stuff like programmes. Ordered my programme and had it waiting for me the bar area with my seat number. Saves the hassle of queuing up to get one pre-show. 

[lichtie]

This was much as I remembered from its original tour (though I think it clicked a bit better with the extra cast member). There are still bits where it drags slightly and it could have done with some more trimming, but overall its just so much fun, and the cast give it there all, even when faced with a theatre that must have been only abut 25% full. If you're struggling for something to see amid all the cancellations and this is still on give it a bash.

[NeilVHughes]

Absolutely brilliant, will break my resolution to not see a show twice and will definitely see again in the near future.

A great way to pass a New Years Day afternoon, smiles and laughs aplenty, no better way to start my 2022 theatre adventures.

[fiyerorocher]

£20 rush tickets are now available for this from Today Tix. Seems to be front row - definitely worth that price.