You don't have to be a fan of Jane Austen's classic to enjoy this fabulous entertainment. This modern feminist mash up of comedy and pop songs is a complete joy. I had to wonder how much of the brilliant script was Austen's and how much was that of Isobel McArthur. The latter's jokes punctuate the dazzling dialogue, much of it fast interaction between the actors. Director Paul Brotherston, with his choreographer Emily Jane Boyle, has given us a something spectacular. The set, lighting, sound and costumes are all great.
The story is told (at times narrated) by the cast of six servant girls who dress up as the characters from the book. This device works so well, especially for those famous males in the novel. The fact that underneath the costumes are their servant smocks reminds us where we are. Except we never see Mr Bennett, the father, only the back of his armchair and his newspaper. I started to wonder if he was really there, but the cast always talked to him, so he must have been.
When the servant girls break into the first song, we know this is going to be more of a musical, fortunately with classic songs rather than mediocre originals. It's karaoke, but the selection, presentation and performances are original and outstanding. We have an accordion, a harp, a trumpet and something with keys at the back?
The whole cast are excellent, no household names, no movies to their credits, hardly any TV, but wow, they put their heart and sole into the production and it shows. Of course, they have to play multiple characters, but this just adds to the fun. Although Meghan Tyler is nearly always Elizabeth Bennett ("persona non-starter") ,the pivot of the story. Isobel McArthur (the writer) also plays Mrs Bennett and Mr Darcy, an amazing combination. Christina Gordon alternates Jane Bennett with Lady Catherine (more later) and Clara. Hannah Jarrett-Scot, Felix Forde and Tori Burgess have at least four roles each.
Here is Mr Darcy. At his entrance later on, the women wonder why he is not wet!
So lets get onto the songs, all picked for their relevance to the plot.
Will You Love Me Tomorrow - The Shirelles. (A great ensemble piece)
You're Just Too Good To Be True - Andy Williams
Your So Vain - Carly Simon (Obviously sung by Elizabeth to Mr Darcy)
If You Leave Me Now - Chicago
Young Hearts Run Free - Candi Staton
Every Day I Write The Book - Elvis Costello (My favourite on the night)
Something Changed - Pulp (not familiar, but a fabulous song and so appropriate to the story)
There are mentions on reviews of songs by Kylie Minogue, The Devine Comedy, Etta James and others, but I may have missed them. Then there was Lady In Red, all to do with Lady Catherine de Bourgh (below) and her (almost) namesake composer.
Finally, at the top of my list, (and maybe missed by most) a Christmas gathering of a depressed Bennett family is introduced by those unforgettable first bars of Mud's Lonely this Christmas. Absolutely brilliant. So a wonderful evening, quite long but not a moment's padding. There was something about it that reminded me of One Man Two Guvnors, it was in that bracket. All the reviews I read gave it four stars, I cannot think why they were not five.
PS Two Oxford reviews have just given it the five star treatment, oxinabox and oxfordmag. One wanted to give it sixth star. Why not.
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