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Post by stevej678 on Oct 27, 2019 11:07:52 GMT
 If you've ever wanted to see Jane Austen given the Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour or Glasgow Girls treatment, then Blood of the Young's all-female, karaoke-soaked take on Pride and Prejudice is the show you've been waiting for. With more than a nod to the her-story of Six thrown in for good measure, this is a tour of a production that debuted in Glasgow last year and will continue to travel the UK into 2020. I caught it yesterday at Birmingham Rep where it plays until 2nd November. Throwing a playlist of lovesick pop songs and much breaking of the fourth wall into the mix, the show provides a riotous retelling of the familiar story from the perspective of the all-seeing servants below stairs. With the phenomenal cast of six multi-roling as the sisters, their mother and the various suitors, this is a raucous, vibrant and incredibly fresh production, with fun, silliness and mischief to be found at every turn, yet one which somehow also succeeds in remaining faithful to Austen's story, with a clear affection for the source material never far beneath the surface. It manages to maintain a sense of subtlety and complexity, despite the air of caricature and pantomime, and delivers some touching, delicate moments of truth. It's that combination of sending up, while quietly revering, the original work that really underpins the magic on stage and gives the production a huge heart. It's the way the story is told which merits the "sort of" in the title. Each glamorous ball, romance and scandal survives in-tact but writer Isobel McArthur switches Austen's prose for contemporary, blunt exchanges, provoking laughter at every turn with the culture clash that ensues. There's swearing, singing and frequent costume changes, with confetti, microphones, trumpets, a harp and even a life-sized horse all thrown in for good measure. The action is often brought into the auditorium too, with the audience addressed directly and very much involved in the action (though it's very much playful interaction and not forced, awkward participation). At one point, we're asked if we're all okay for drinks! It's a mindblowingly talented ensemble of six who relay the story, with writer Isobel McArthur segueing superbly as the stoic Darcy and the shrill, shrieking Mrs Bennet. Meghan Tyler's Elizabeth Bennet (in her own words, a "persona non-starter") delivers a gloriously deadbeat, drippingly droll rendition of You're So Vain, aimed at a bewildered Mr Darcy, while Tori Burgess' singing-obsessed Mary belatedly gets her moment to take to the mike, leading the cast in a soulful, joyous rendition of Young Hearts Run Free in the finale. We're also treated to the likes of Will You Love Me Tomorrow, I Got You Babe (delivered while stood on a beer crate) and Every Day I Write The Book, to name just a few. It's a company with comic prowess at its core but it's also a cast who are just as adept at turning their hands to playing multiple instruments and picking up a microphone to belt out the many musical numbers. The energy and commitment in the performances contribute so much to making this such a magical two hours 40 minutes of theatre. This is probably the best musical or play I've seen this year. Pride and Prejudice (Sort Of) provides a delightfully kaleidoscopic, irreverent yet reverential take on a much-loved novel that re-imagines how the Bennets might have behaved behind closed doors, without a filter. Blasting the sisters into the 21st century also injects a sense of female empowerment, presenting the Bennets as practical, forthright, single-minded young women who view the social order with thinly disguised disdain. The rapturous applause and standing ovation which brought the performance to a close has rarely been more deserved. The cast looked chuffed to bits with the audience reaction and so they should. This is one of those wonderful nights at the theatre where everyone on and off stage is having a ball. Pride and Prejudice (Sort Of) is an out-and-out triumph. Five stars. |
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Post by irisjeregenboog on Oct 27, 2019 13:46:53 GMT
Glad to read such a glowing review! This was on my 'should-probably-see-this'-list for next year, but after this review I am certain I should see this! Ticket now booked for February at the Leeds Playhouse  |
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Post by showgirl on Oct 27, 2019 14:46:41 GMT
I'd been hoping for a chance to see this since it opened in Glasgow and have already booked for Oxford - which means waiting until next March, but something to look forward to.
The Austen spin-offs are a growth industry, what with the long-running Austentatious, The Watsons and this - what next?
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Post by TallPaul on Oct 27, 2019 15:16:18 GMT
Yes, thanks for posting such a comprehensive review, stevej678. I've been waiting and waiting, but may now have to bite the bullet and pay Leeds Playhouse's booking fee. Damn you! 😡 |
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Oct 27, 2019 16:58:13 GMT
Reasonable prices (and no booking fee) at Oxford Playhouse especially for the Thursday matinee, front row has a " below stage level" warning but is only £10 for all performances and I found the look up to be less than I expected when I last visited.
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Post by CG on the loose on Oct 28, 2019 19:56:46 GMT
Thanks for the great review stevej678 - this was on my radar but I hadn't got around to booking. Now off to the Rep on Saturday |
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Post by CG on the loose on Nov 3, 2019 18:58:23 GMT
Loved this. Short stop in the first half due to a lady in the audience being taken ill - well done to the FOH staff for their management of the situation and to a doctor in the audience for coming forward to help, and huge respect to the cast for picking it up again seamlessly after 15 minutes or so and immediately getting the distracted audience back 'in the room'. I thought they were all excellent, with writer Isobel McArthur (Darcy & Mrs Bennett) and Meghan Tyler (Elizabeth) the stand outs. It's a tribute to both writing and performance that the somewhat more mature couples either side of me, who weren't entirely sure what they were expecting except that it involved Austen, enjoyed it as much as I did. Now checking the rest of the tour schedule to see if there's somewhere sensible for a re-visit!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 22, 2020 8:18:11 GMT
 Looks a bit Six-y |
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Post by MrBraithwaite on Jan 22, 2020 8:31:26 GMT
Not just a bit...
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 22, 2020 8:44:48 GMT
What’s the betting... a selection of regional accents, lots of “sassy” girl banter, breaking the 4th wall and general shreikiness?
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Post by stevej678 on Jan 22, 2020 9:10:06 GMT
What’s the betting... a selection of regional accents, lots of “sassy” girl banter, breaking the 4th wall and general shreikiness? Already a thread on this. theatreboard.co.uk/thread/7268/pride-prejudice-sort?page=1It's a brilliant new piece of theatre. I'm pretty sure your pre-conceptions of "general shriekiness" etc would be blown away if you actually saw it and gave it a chance! |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 22, 2020 9:29:00 GMT
What’s the betting... a selection of regional accents, lots of “sassy” girl banter, breaking the 4th wall and general shreikiness? Already a thread on this. theatreboard.co.uk/thread/7268/pride-prejudice-sort?page=1It's a brilliant new piece of theatre. I'm pretty sure your pre-conceptions of "general shriekiness" etc would be blown away if you actually saw it and gave it a chance! Merged, thank you! |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 22, 2020 9:34:57 GMT
If you've ever wanted to see Jane Austen given the Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour or Glasgow Girls treatment, then Blood of the Young's all-female, karaoke-soaked take on Pride and Prejudice is the show you've been waiting for. With more than a nod to the her-story of Six thrown in for good measure, this is a tour of a production that debuted in Glasgow last year and will continue to travel the UK into 2020. I caught it yesterday at Birmingham Rep where it plays until 2nd November. Throwing a playlist of lovesick pop songs and much breaking of the fourth wall into the mix, the show provides a riotous retelling of the familiar story from the perspective of the all-seeing servants below stairs. It's the way the story is told which merits the "sort of" in the title. Each glamorous ball, romance and scandal survives in-tact but writer Isobel McArthur switches Austen's prose for contemporary, blunt exchanges, provoking laughter at every turn with the culture clash that ensues. There's swearing, singing and frequent costume changes, with confetti, microphones, trumpets, a harp and even a life-sized horse all thrown in for good measure. The action is often brought into the auditorium too, with the audience addressed directly and very much involved in the action (though it's very much playful interaction and not forced, awkward participation). At one point, we're asked if we're all okay for drinks! It's a mindblowingly talented ensemble of six who relay the story, with writer Isobel McArthur segueing superbly as the stoic Darcy and the shrill, shrieking Mrs Bennet.Based on your excellent review I think my guesses were pretty spot on! |
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Post by teatowel on Jan 31, 2020 19:25:49 GMT
Hello!
I haven't seen Six so can't do a comparison, but this show is possibly one of my favourite theatre experiences. (I have a very eclectic taste, and my previous favourite was X at the Royal Court)
It's definitely not a typical Regency/Jane Austen adaptation: I found it hilarious, daft, transgressive, witty, generous, warm & yet had a lot of truth & was touching- it didn't shy away from the potential bleakness of a woman's lot in Regency times. It could have ended up as something like a spoof which would wear thin after a bit, but completely avoided that, being very true to Austen's sharply written observations and characterisations, with a very modern and engaging take in it- I didn't notice the 2hr 20min run time (exc interval). There were so many layers to enjoy and the writing and acting was on point. It's been written by someone (Isobel McArthur) who obviously loves and respects the story & Jane Austen's writing. The clever thing about it was that it would suit Jane Austen fans as well as those who have never read her books.
I'd call it more like a play with songs rather than a regular musical - the songs were integrated well into the story (romantic pop songs from throughout the decades), and the arrangements were really enjoyable. The staging, sound and lighting also really made the show too.
The small cast are talented and were very high energy - it really was an ensemble effort and you could see their enjoyment of performing and there was a palpable sense of friendship and love for each other- I don't know if I've ever seen a cast work that well together and it be reflected like that on the stage.
All in all, a small show that is super entertaining, uplifting and generally immense!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 29, 2020 21:28:03 GMT
I just saw this today in Leeds, and I loved it. Very funny, very pacy, some very sweet bits, and a fab cast. I really liked it, and I'd see it again in a flash.
I especially liked Lizzie singing You're so Vain in that really strong accent, and I loved Charlotte with her gorgeous Divine Comedy song which I haven't heard in far too many years.
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Post by showgirl on Mar 1, 2020 6:25:57 GMT
Really looking forward to this in Oxford next week - and to the day out itself as hoping to see an early film first and have a browse in the new shopping centre. both of which I managed on my last matinee trip there.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2020 10:01:50 GMT
Aaaand I just bought tickets to go again in Oxford in a couple of weeks.
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Post by TallPaul on Mar 1, 2020 13:31:14 GMT
Well, it seems ALL the best people were there yesterday! 🙂
I'm nitpicking, but I thought each act was perhaps 5 or 10 minutes too long, not helped by reading the timings for the much shorter Oliver Twist, and there are a few too many troughs, but when it's good, which it mostly is, it's very good.
Although I'm not easily offended, I'm not a great fan of swearing, but when the F-word is used in this context, by these characters, it is devastatingly funny. Shame the cast didn't always wait for the laughter to subside.
I don't know the respective timelines, but this is far from being a pastiche of Six. Just about the only thing they have in common is a cast of six women.
Is it a musical, or a play with songs? The latter, I think, for what it's worth. It's certainly different to anything I've ever seen before.
4.17 stars from me!
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Post by showgirl on Mar 1, 2020 14:04:45 GMT
Aaaand I just bought tickets to go again in Oxford in a couple of weeks. What, is it doing 2 visits to Oxford in short succession? |
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Mar 1, 2020 14:10:24 GMT
Aaaand I just bought tickets to go again in Oxford in a couple of weeks. What, is it doing 2 visits to Oxford in short succession? Just one slot at Oxford, 10-14 March at the Playhouse Theatre. |
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Post by teatowel on Mar 1, 2020 14:29:14 GMT
Although I'm not easily offended, I'm not a great fan of swearing, but when the F-word is used in this context, by these characters, it is devastatingly funny. My fave f-word usage was possibly when Mrs B tells her daughters to bugger off when talking to Mr Collins... |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2020 14:55:56 GMT
My fave F word was whe Darcy was in the aisle right next to me and yelled f*** LADY CATHERINE. I could see her temples pulsating and she looked magnificent.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Mar 13, 2020 0:57:39 GMT
Great fun and a superb cast, well worth a trip to Oxford or Southampton.
I agree that it isn't a musical. Only a couple of the songs are full performances, most only last a minute or so. But as a comedy play it's a 10/10 from me.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2020 18:20:13 GMT
I can't stop singing 'You're so Vain' in a Norn Iron accent. It's genius. I'm so excited to see this again tomorrow.
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Post by stevej678 on May 20, 2021 21:22:44 GMT
Brilliant news and so well deserved! Probably should be classed as a play with music rather than a musical though. I'd say blame the original poster but that was me!  |
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