Name: Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of)
Start: 2021-10-15
End: 2022-02-06
Location: Criterion Theatre

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This audacious and hilarious take on Jane Austen's iconic story has taken the West End by storm

Theatre

Amelie Entry Requirements 

Unless eating or drinking, all guests are required to wear a mask at all times while inside this venue.

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This venue has additional Covid-19 safety measures in place to ensure the health and well-being of the staff, performers, and guests.

Covid safety

Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) [23915] - LON

Genre: Musical (US and AUS)

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Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of)

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It is a truth universally acknowledged that there will always be yet another Jane Austen adaptation in our future. Entering a crowded field, as jam-packed as a society ball, is Isobel McArthur's karaoke-fuelled version of <a href="/show/pride-prejudice-sort-of">Pride and Prejudice</a>, which premiered in Glasgow in 2018 and then toured before coming to London. Its irreverent merriness is definitely a welcome addition to the West End, and makes for a fun night out, but I'm less convinced that it has a unique take on a very familiar tale.The intriguing premise is that it's the unseen, underappreciated servants who are telling Austen's story, donning their employers' gowns and frock coats to transform into them (the all-female cast of five, several making their West End debuts, multi-role with aplomb). But that idea never really cuts through: there's no revolutionary commentary on class, no sense of the outsider shaping our perception. This isn't a Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead for the Regency romcom. And while there's the odd pointed comment or eye roll at male stupidity, nor is it as overtly feminist as other revisionist offerings like Six.But, rather like that herstory hit, it does feature the inspired use of pop songs to allow this emotionally repressed lot to express themselves. So, clutching handheld microphones, Jane croons "At Last" while on her way to Netherfield, Elizabeth taunts Mr Darcy with "You're So Vain,"&nbsp;Jane and Bingley wonder "Will You Love Me Tomorrow,"&nbsp;and the Bennet women are "Holding Out for a Hero."&nbsp;There's also a perfectly groan-worthy Chris de Burgh gag.Otherwise this is a pretty faithful staging of the novel (with the long run time to match), albeit one with more forthright and fruity language - Mrs Bennet calls Elizabeth "a fucking smartarse" - and contemporary touches like the sisters stomping around in Doc Martens or drinking Irn-Bru. McArthur's script is part fanfiction, filling in scenes and conversations around Austen's existing text, and part guide, explaining historical elements like women not being allowed to inherit property.It's admirably accessible, and McArthur and Simon Harvey's energetic production is very engaging, but it coarsens Austen's delicate satire. It's much funnier to have Elizabeth struggle to reject Mr Collins's proposal within the bounds of propriety than to simply have her roar at him to "Fuck off."&nbsp;Without the same sense of social restraint and strict class distinctions, the stakes are lost. And, matching that heightened tone, Meghan Tyler pushes Elizabeth - who Austen rightly called "as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print" - into obnoxious territory, her sarcasm sneery and her delivery screeching.The bold approach works better with the supporting characters. McArthur is terrific as a growling Mr Darcy and histrionic Mrs Bennet, the latter expressing the urgency of her task - this marriage market is a fight for survival - within a recognisable comic portrait. During a maudlin Christmas, she weeps drunkenly into a box of Quality Streets. Christina Gordon supplies a yearning Jane, preening Wickham and formidable Lady Catherine, and Tori Burgess a smutty Lydia, tormented Mary and oafish Mr Collins.But the scene-stealer is Hannah Jarrett-Scott, who best captures Austen's sardonic characterisation while adding an extra layer of dazzling physical comedy. Her dim toff Bingley first appears with his hand stuck in a Pringles tube, and her feather-headdress-wielding Caroline goes to increasingly hilarious extremes to catch Mr Darcy's attention.There's also an interesting revelation in Jarrett-Scott's Charlotte Lucas, here evidently in love with Elizabeth - which puts a new spin on her settling for marriage with Mr Collins. I would have welcomed more of those audacious additions, as well as further inventive flourishes like representing Mr Bennet with just an armchair and newspaper or having Darcy's portrait stalk Elizabeth, plus more songs in general. The show really flies when it embraces that music hall risk-taking spirit and joyful freshness.Ana Inés Jabares-Pita's effective set features a big, winding staircase stuffed with books and a dangling chandelier (yes, there's a Phantom joke), juxtaposed amusingly with the karaoke machine, and Colin Grenfell's crisp lighting cues punctuate the humour. Everything scales up nicely to fit the Criterion. Now, it's up to audiences to decide whether they need more Austen in their lives and if this production earns her triumphant happy ending.<a href="/show/pride-prejudice-sort-of">Pride &amp; Prejudice* (*sort of) is at the Criterion Theatre. Book&nbsp;Pride &amp; Prejudice* (*sort of) tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.</a>Photo credit: Isobel McArthur, Hannah Jarrett-Scott, Christina Gordon, Tori Burgess, Meghan Tyler (Photo by Matt Crockett)

'Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of)' review - irreverent Austen adaptation makes for a fun night out

Photo credit: Isobel McArthur, Hannah Jarrett-Scott, Christina Gordon, Tori Burgess, Meghan Tyler (Photo by Matt Crockett)

It’s the 1800s. 
It’s party time. 
Let the ruthless matchmaking begin.

When the Criterion Theatre first opened in 1873, the space was designed as a concert hall. The Criterion Theatre is the only West End theatre to be situated almost entirely underground — even the Upper Circle is not at street level. 

The Criterion Theatre housed comic opera in its early years, including works by W. S. Gilbert and George Grossmith. A decade after opening, the theatre had to be renovated to meet the Metropolitan Board of Works standards for ventilation. This work also saw the installation of electricity to the theatre. The building surrounding the theatre was extensively rebuilt between 1989 and 1992, but the Victorian auditorium was well-preserved and still stands today. 

Notable shows at the Criterion Theatre include *The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)* by the Reduced Shakespeare Company, the long-running play *The 39 Steps* and Mischief Theatre's *The Comedy About A Bank Robbery*.

## Criterion Theatre Seating Information

The auditorium has three levels – Stalls, Dress Circle and Upper Circle.

The front rows of the Stalls offers good views of the stage, though the seating is not raked steeply. 

The Dress Circle has specifically designated ‘restricted view’ seats due to the number of pillars supporting the Upper Circle in Row C.

The Upper Circle offers unrestricted theatre views.

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Criterion Theatre

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It is a truth universally acknowledged that the only thing better than Jane Austen’s most famous novel is its uproarious and hilarious stage adaptation. *Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)*.

*Pride and Prejudice* (sort of)* is a play that follows six young women who have a story to tell, which is the love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy. Naturally, they’ve been running the show from the start — “You can’t have a whirlwind romance without clean bedding.” But now it’s their turn to take centre stage, take the mic and play every part, following the highs and lows of the five Bennet daughters as they find their man in want of a wife.

The Austen adaptation *Pride and Prejudice* (sort of)* is written by Scottish playwright Isobel McArthur. McArthur has starred in her own play, which features an all-female cast. *Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)* is a joyous romantic comedy rewrite that puts the women of literary classic centre stage, as the servants of the house re-tell Austen’s beloved tale in an exuberant manner .

*Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)* is in London in 2021, following its smash-hit success at the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe in a co-production with the Tron in Glasgow and a regional tour. Expect period costumes worthy of *Bridgerton*, melodramatic karaoke moments, and tongue in cheek gags galore. An irreverent and affectionate take on the classic love story, *Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)* is a bold, fun, and modern play with songs that’ll have you in stitches. With rave reviews from The Telegraph, The Guardian and The Times, *Pride and Prejudice* (sort of)* is a must see for any Austen lovers and theatre fans. 

## What to Watch For

- There’s plenty of singalong moments weaved into *Pride and Prejudice* (sort of)* from 30 years of romantic pop history, including some of writer Isobel McArthur’s personal favourites, including “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon. 
- Each cast member in *Pride and Prejudice* (sort of)* plays multiple characters, poking gentle fun at Austen’s well-loved characters. During the play, see if you canspot Mr Bennet as played by an armchair! 
- *Pride and Prejudice* (sort of)* in London is the latest adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. There have been more than 10 film and TV versions of *Pride and Prejudice*, including *Bridget Jones's Diary* (2001), *Pride and Prejudice and Zombies* (2016), the Bollywood movie *Bride and Prejudice* (2004), as well as probably its most famous: the 1995 BBC miniseries starring Colin Firth as Mr Darcy. 
- Ana Inés Jabares-Pita's old-meets-new scenic design skillfully blends the white Regency elegance with a modern rainbow array of light bulbs. Some unlikely props feature too, ranging from colourful confetti, to trumpets, and a life-sized horse! 


TodayTix - Pride & Prejudice* (sort of) - LON

*Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of*)* receives its West End premiere at the Criterion Theatre. Jane Austen’s beloved romance novel is updated in Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)*, a hilarious modern twist on the classic love story. The Bennet parents have five unmarried daughters. They’re desperate to see them all married to rich, respectable, eligible husbands. How hard could it be? *Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)* sees the young servants of the house take centre stage as they joke, dress up, and sing their version of the highs and lows of the Bennet girls’ tumultuous love lives as they weather the highs and lows of Regency courtship. *Pride and Prejudice* (sort of)* tickets are available on London Theatre now.

*Pride and Prejudice* (sort of)* expertly and hilariously recounts all of the balls, elopements, and witty exchanges of Austen’s best-loved couple: Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Austen’s novel is a beloved classic, and this adaptation does justice to the original 1813 novel whilst adding modern twists through its use of comedy, live music, and exuberant props. 

*Pride and Prejudice* (sort of)* is a play that is written by Scottish playwright Isobel McArthur. The Glasweigan actress and writer has starred in *Pride and Prejudice* (sort of)*, and the score is inspired by her favourite songs growing up, ranging from Carly Simon's “You're So Vain” to Pulp's “Something Changed.”

*Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)* premiered to widespread acclaim in 2018 at the Edinburgh Fringe in a co-production with the Tron in Glasgow before touring regionally. The production received rave reviews, with The Telegraph saying it’s “as richly layered as a wedding cake.” McArthur’s tongue-in-cheek take on Austen’s novel is directed by Blood of the Young’s Paul Brotherston with sound design by Michael John McCarthy and set design by Ana Inés Jabares-Pita. Featuring all of the drama of the original Jane Austen story, *Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)* in London is a faithful and affectionate comedic version of the timeless tale of money, men, and marriage. 

Tickets to *Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)* are available now. Book *Pride & Prejudice* *(sort of)* tickets on London Theatre today.

Pride and Prejudice* (sort of) - LON - London Theatre

Book official tickets to Pride and Prejudice* (sort of) at the Criterion Theatre today. Choose your seats and find the best availability at LondonTheatre.co.uk.

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