Pride and Prejudice. Adapted from Jane Austen’s novel by the company.
Created and Performed by Bloomshed. Directed by: James Jackson and Elizabeth
Brennan. Performed by: Laura
Aldous, Elizabeth Brennan, Syd Brisbane, Anna Louey, Lauren Swain, Emily Carr
and James Malcher.
Set Design: Savanna
Wegman. Costume Design: Samantha
Hastings. Lighting Designer:
John Collopy. Sound Designer: Justin
Gardam. Stage and Production Manager:
Jacinta Anderson
Creative Producer: James
Jackson. The Playhouse. Canberra Theatre Centre. October 15-18 2025. Bookings: www.canberratheatrecentre.org.au or 62752700
Reviewed by Peter Wilkins
What happens when a theatre
company satirizes the satirist? An hilarious romp, that’s what. Devotees of
Jane Austen and lovers of Pride and
Prejudice could fall into two camps when attending Bloomshed’s production
of Pride and Prejudice billed as a
love story in a Housing Crisis. It certainly resonates at a time of escalating
housing prices and unaffordable rental costs. The traditionalists may snub
their noses at the twisting of Austen’s tale. Those who can relish the
ridiculousness in human nature will find it difficult to stop laughing for a
moment to catch the wit of the company’s adaptation. .Bloomshed’s zany
production lends credence to Shakespeare’s observation of “What Fools these
humans be“ where Much Ado About Nothing
rollercoasts luckily into All’s Well That
Ends Well.
The premise is the same. Mrs. Bennet (Emily
Carr ) with Mr Bennet still firmly in her grip but here transformed into an
obedient pot plant is eager to divest herself of daughters Mary (Lauren Swain),
a gun toting sure fighting daughter who shoots for the other side, Lydia (Emily
Carr) who can’t resist a handsome man in uniform but takes a wrong turn with
the unsavoury Wickham (Lauren Swain), Kitty (Syd Brisbane) , sexy Jane (Anna
Louey) whose desperation for Bingley
(James Malcher) can only bring sobs until the prospect of penury and the collapse
of a real estate prospect saves the day and the love affair.and Lizzie.(Elizabeth
Brennan) caught in Love’s confusion and affection for the dour Darcy(James
Jackson). It all adds up to a crazy hither and thither show until Lady
Catherine De Bourgh arrives from on high to partake in a momentary afternoon
tea break. Costume designer (Samantha Hastings) lends a touch of cheek to the Lady
Catherine’s costume with two cherries on top of her hat. Those lucky enough to
own land and bountiful wealth really do get the cherries on top.
 |
| Elizabeth Brennan as Elizabeth Bennet and James Jackson as Darcy |
In spite of the silliness of Bloomshed’s
farce cum goonery on set designer,Savanna Wegman’s huge layered wedding cake
stage there is cause to ponder. Austen’s critical commentary on class, religion
and the complexities of love and marriage has not been lost on Bloomshed’s cast
and creatives. There are references to Margaret Thatcher, the CPI, and above
all the housing crisis. We know that the course of true love never did run
smooth so why not sugarcoat it with the lascivious Reverend Collins chasing
Lizzie through H row and finally handing the bouquet to a lady in the second
row, hereafter acknowledged as his wife, or Mary popping off her gun before
coming out .
Bloomshed’s cast are obviously having a great time. The performance, apart from the pause for Lady Catherine to enjoy her cup of tea that never leaves the hand for the lips, belts along at a cracking pace. In eighty non-stop minutes, there is barely time for depth or reflection and audience members familiar with the novel may glean more from the irony and ambiguity that is at the heart of Austen’s satire. For the rest, leave your preconceptions at home, release your expectations and settle back for what will be a frivolous evening of fun-filled entertainment. And at a time of rising house prices, crippling rentals and a soaring cost of living for those without Darcy’s billions this Pride and Prejudice is a passing panacea.
