Theatremakers have long been attracted to the brilliance, wit and zest of Jane Austen works. Playing presently in Sydney is a production, by the Genesian Theatre Company, of the very successful Complete Works of Jane Austen Abridged by Jessica Bedford, Katherine-MacMillan, Charlotte Northeast and Meghan Winch. As well, more prominently, Sydney theatregoers are currently being treated to a run of the hit West End production of Isobel McArthur’s play PRIDE AND PREJUDICE*(*sort of).
With great versatility, five talented performers, Amy Lehpamer, Zoe Ioannou, Kaori Maeda-Judge, Ruby Shannon and Teo Vergara, brilliantly portray the roles of Elizabeth Bennett, Mr Darcy, Jane Bennet, Charles Bingley, Mr and Mrs Bennet and all the other characters.
Simon Harvey directs the Australian season of the show with Simone Sault as the associate director and choreographer. Designer Ana Ines Inbares-Pita’s very functional set and character defining costumes work well. Together with Jason Bovaird’s lighting, Michael John McCarthy’s score and sound design with Marcello Lo Ricco, and Musical Direction by Kohan van Sambeeck’s, a very effective, appealing stage world was created.
As well as McCarthy’s soundscape, the cast, all in fine voice, performed a host of classic pop songs which were interspersed through the action, with all being well received by the audience My favourite renditions were of the poignant Carole King ballad, Will You Still Love Me, the fast paced rock and roll number, Young Hearts Run Free, and Carly Simon’s ascerbic You’re So Vain, aimed straight at Mr Darcy.
Verdict. This was a very entertaining show with broad appeal. And to add, for those who haven’t read Pride and Prejudice, this is a very colourful and great way to get to know it, very well!
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE* (*SORT OF) is playing the Drama Theatre Sydney Opera House until the 30th August 2026. The production will then move to the IMB Theatre at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre between the 2nd and 13th September 2026, the Canberra Theatre, Canberra Theatre Centre between the 16th and 27th September 2026, and the Playhouse theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre between the 30th September anbd the 18th October 2026.
Production photography by Prudence Upton
