You can purchase T shirts over the internet with the caption “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife” stenciled on the front. There are male and female versions; the female version is pink with writing in italic. The male version is white and in bold.
Considering that the original quotation is the opening sentence from Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, first published in 1813, it’s impressively lasted 2 centuries as a significant and redolent statement. Perhaps it should be part of the publicity blurb for millionairematch.com, the online matchmaking website for the 2014 millionaire.
There’s also a website devoted to quotations from the novel, Jane Austen societies, numerous films, television series, events devoted to the reading of the text aloud over a full day, with a different reader for each chapter. Countless literature scholars have analysed, hypothised about and criticised this talented lady who was clever enough to produce gentle satire about the rigorous social mores and customs of the landed gentry of England, with particular emphasis on the codes of marriage and marrying within your class and station.
The award winning playwright, Emma Wood, has set MR BENNET’S BRIDE approximately 25 years before Pride and Prejudice, extrapolating information about the characters to write a play that gives us an insight into the possible reasons why James married for beauty and regretted it almost immediately. In MR BENNET’S BRIDE, a 27 year old James Bennet, confidently portrayed by Dean Blackford, utters the above mentioned famous words as a biting response to the pressure to select a suitable wife and produce an heir for Longbourne.
James’ father, Robert, embodied by the skilled Lance Hawkins, has become increasingly frustrated by James bookish and diffident manner and complete unwillingness to entertain any of the suitable young ladies presented to him. His discussions with his widowed sister, Mary Ellingworth, sympathetically delivered by the experienced Tracey Gordon, lead him to decide to engage his lawyer, Mr Gardiner, to draw up a contract for James to sign, forcing him to find a bride or leave Longbourne and seek work!
Derek Fisher’s Gardiner is a clever and resourceful lawyer who, along with his giddy wife, Sarah, a very giggly and girlish Alison Cox, schemes to present his very pretty and equally giddy daughter, Emily, prettily presented by the talented Cassandra Griffin, to a scowling and bored James when he comes to sign. James is rapidly impressed by her looks and, perhaps partly to vex his father, does indeed decide to marry after all, but the daughter of his attorney is definitely not what his father had in mind. And perhaps father does know best.
This sophisticated and stylish production contains subtle shifts and nuance changes; from laugh out loud humour and satire to moments of genuine human frailty and awareness. One scene between father and son about the death of James’ mother, who died giving birth to James, is very poignant and resonates with the universal and timeless grief associated with the loss of a loved one.
The multi award winning director, Julie Black, has confidently led a distinctive and talented ensemble. All members inhabit their characters with complete believability and conviction, bringing the world of late 18th century into sharp focus. Malcolm Young is an avaricious and arrogant Benedict Collins, come to gloat about the later in life birth of his own son and possible heir to Longbourne. Diane Williams gives us a witty, wise and resourceful maid, Mrs Graves, and Alison Murphy and Stephanie McDonald open the production with great energy as the matrimonially hopeful mother and daughter team, Mrs Bowman and Clara.
We are also visually stimulated by the harmonious relationship between the sumptuous set design by Robyn Greenwell and the colour coordinated costume design by Julie Black and wigs by Valmai Drury. It reinforced why they needed to marry within class and avoid the dreadful prospect of working – they needed all their time to dress.
Emma Wood, who began carving a name for herself as a playwright with her award winning play, Water Child, has consolidated this with MR BENNET’S BRIDE and there is no doubt that Jane Austen aficionados and thespians in general will embrace this sophisticated and clever script. Maybe they should start screen printing the T-shirts now.
NR BENNET’S BRIDE opened on the 8th March at the Newcastle Theatre Company, 90 De Vitre Street, Lambton, and is playing until the 22nd March every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night at 8 pm and 2 pm Matinees on March 9 and 15. Bookings www.newcastletheatrecompany.com.au or phone 02 49524958.