Producer: David Pugh
Writer and Director: Isobel McArthur (after Jane Austen)
Venue: The Arts Theatre, Cambridge
Performance: 9 November 2026

A hilarious take on Jane Austen’s most famous novel, retaining the Regency look and feel but adding sharp comedy, hit songs and modern dialogue. A wonderfully irreverent piece of highly entertaining theatre, and just what we need to brighten up a cold, dark November evening.

I’m a big fan of Pride and Prejudice, so I was a little dubious about how the ‘sort of’ version would land. But I needn’t have worried. Along with most of the audience, I was laughing out loud and thoroughly enjoying the joyous combination of singing, acting, dancing and some very clever character-switching.

All the roles are played by just five actors: Georgia May Firth, Eva Hope, Phoebe Marshall, Roxanne Morgan and Julia Murray. Starting out as the household maids, they take us through the entire cast of characters, switching between roles in each scene with the help of some ingenious costuming. The speed and ease with which they transform themselves is a delight to watch.

There is some top-notch writing from McArthur, who cleverly sticks to the original plot while giving it a wonderfully farcical spin. Think Operation Mincemeat meets Jane Austen, with plenty of familiar numbers thrown in for musical sparkle. I particularly love the use of You’re So Vain, aimed by Lizzie at the conceited Mr Darcy!

And the sparks certainly fly between the characters. Despite the farce, the swearing and the modern dialogue, the relationships have real chemistry. Lizzie and Darcy, Jane and Bingley, and the silly, giggly pairing of Lydia and Kitty all work brilliantly. Even Charlotte Lucas has an unrequited crush on Lizzie.

The set is superb, with a winding staircase and upper landing that are cleverly put to use. The pink living room transforms effortlessly from Longbourn to Pemberley and then Rosings. The characters are wonderfully drawn, from the ghastly Lady de Bourgh (and the song from her other nephew, Chris), to the superior Caroline Bingley and all the Bennet sisters. Mrs Bennet would make any daughter cringe and meanwhile Mr Bennet is exceptionally silent, represented by a wingback chair facing away from the audience, complete with newspaper – a wonderfully funny touch. There is even an allusion to the TV version and Mr Darcy’s swimming scene (for those who remember it).

This is a production that doesn’t take itself remotely seriously, but is all the better for it. It manages to poke fun at a much-loved classic without losing the heart of the original story. The cast are terrific, the music is infectious and the comedy comes thick and fast. A thoroughly joyous evening – and one that leaves me smiling all the way home.