Theatre Review: Pride & Prejudice

Last night, I went to see Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice at Theatre Royal Windsor. I love the story of the five Bennett sisters, each trying to find a husband, but the tale also has a special place in my heart, as it was on a holiday in Derbyshire, touring the sites of the film version of the book, that my now-husband proposed. We were searching for the rock that Keira Knightley stands on in the film (Stanage Edge), and when we found it, much to my surprise, he got down on one knee. And like Elizabeth Bennett eventually succumbs to Mr Darcy, I too said yes. So when I saw the play was on in Windsor, I had to go. Of course, I doubted it could ever be as good as the Colin Firth BBC adaptation, or the Matthew Macfayden film of it, but still, I was interested to give it a go. I was not prepared for just how clever and funny it turned out to be. And the most surprising part - the whole play (every word spoken is Austen's) and every character is performed by just two incredibly talented actors. It was truly amazing how they flitted between parts, with a voice change or a slight tweak of outfit, yet how you were drawn into the personality and feelings of each character with total belief. I was blown away. Mr Darcy was ever the tall, handsome, proud man we know and love him to be, yet within a second, the same actor had become the quiet, lovely Jane, and then the silly, young Kitty, who was absolutely hilarious. My plus one - a literary guru - also loved the critically acclaimed interpretation of one of the nation's favourite novels. So if you get the chance to see a play by Two Bit Classics - do it. The show is on for the rest of this week at Theatre Royal Windsor.