The Play: Pride and Prejudice - novel by Jane Austen, adapted by the Bloomshed Theatre
The Theatre: The Merlyn Theatre at The Malthouse
Runtime: 90 minutes
Until: 23 May
Stars: 4.75
This is possibly one of the best, and funniest, bits of theatre I've seen in years. Absolutely and utterly wonderful. And to think that I would have missed it, if not for the box office staff being able to reprint my ticket. When they handed over the replacement, I was told I was in for a treat.
It was exactly that.
This was an absolute corker of a production. Funny. Deeply satirical. On point. Engaging. Critical at just the right level and a brilliant farce, I wish I could see this again Unfortunately, tonight is the last night of the run - it's also sold out. Still, this afternoon I was treated to an absolute gem. It's been advertised as a story of housing insecurity - which when you think about it - it is.
For those who don't know the story of Austen's best-known novel, Mr Bennet (played by a Ficus in varying levels of health) and Mrs Bennet (Emily Carr) have five daughters and seriously need to get them married off, as on Mr Bennet's demise, they are going to be out on their ear. The house will fall into the hands of the odious Mr Collins (Sid Brisbane).
The daughters sort of run to their descriptions in the book. Jane (Anna Louey) is the pretty one, who soon forms and attachment to Mr Bingley (John Marc Desengano). The witty, wise Lizzie (Elizabeth Brennan) has a love/hate relationship with Mr Darcy (James Jackson). Slutty Lydia (Laura Aldous) wins a wet petticoat contest and ensnares the terrible life choice that is Mr Wickham (Lauren Swain). Mary, (also Lauren Swain) is normally the forgotten one - she's turned into a gun toting emo lesbian, to great effect. And Kitty (Syd Brisbane's other alter ego) is the much-maligned Kitty.
If you're a fan of the book, and not too precious about the text, you'd adore this.
What Bloomshed have done is take this story, add some physical theatre and cabaret elements, put in some up-to-date references about the Australian housing market and you've got this wonderful show.
Set on what looks like a big wedding cake, Savanna Wegman's set is perfect for this laugh a minute show. Being a collective, the company have directed this show among themselves to great effect. I loved the physicality of the production - the actors' movements, the dancing (and twerking) the fast paced-nature of the whole thing was amazing.
For me, the best scene was the one with Lady Catherine De Burgh (once again, John Marc Desengano) where they all had tea. Tea was brought in on a small table, with an urn, paper cups, tea bags and a family pack of Arnott's biscuits. I nearly wet myself over the five-minute scene - so relatable, yet so funny. Maybe you had to be there.
As the season finished tonight at the Malthouse, I can't say go and find a ticket for this. It toured Canberra, Darebin and Geelong late last year. I just know that this was thoroughly enjoyable.
I'll be keeping my eye out for more Bloomshed theatre productions. They're wonderful. Wow.
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