Pride and Prejudice | Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre

As part of this year's lineup of summer entertainment at the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, Pride and Prejudice which was written by Jane Austen in 1813 has been adapted for stage by Deborah McAndrew with direction by Conrad Nelson, with a revival having successfully played at this theatre in 2021. Together, McAndrew and Nelson have created a piece of theatre which maintains the elegance and class of this timeless novel, whilst still capturing all the essence of a Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre production - plenty of charm, wit and humour, and an overall joyous and atmospheric evening.

The story follows Elizabeth Bennett (Alyce Liburd), a witty and headstrong young woman as she attempts to navigate life through the pressures of society, expectations and courtship. She meets Mr Darcy (Ethan Reid) and against initial attempts to dismiss Mr Darcy due to his apparent pride and her own prejudice, a tangled web of events and unraveling of secrets leads to Elizabeth and Mr Darcy confronting their assumptions as they learn new things about each other, ultimately falling in love.

McAndrew's adaptation follows the narrative style of the novel, with Lyburd jumping between addressing the audience and conversing with the other characters. Lyburd has a natural stage presence that enables the audience to follow the story along nicely and allows us to connect with the situation she finds herself in. Reid effortlessly portrays Mr Darcy as a stoic and reserved individual, but it's in his portrayal of Mr Collins where he truly shines. Reid has the audience in fits of laughter just from appearing on the stage and his commitment to his character work is palpable.

A few other honorable mentions must go to Victoria Brazier and Howard Chadwick, who have stood out in both productions at Grosvenor Park this year. Brazier, who plays the role of Mrs Bennett and Chadwick who plays Mr Bennett both give an assured and impactful performance, demonstrating incredible versatility in their multi-roling.

As any regular attendee would expect, audience participation is actively encouraged. However, what stands apart in this production from previous productions is how naturally the audience interaction slot into the plot, not stilting the piece in any way. Nelson's direction ensures that the pacing never dips, allowing the audience to be swept along by the playful ways in which the characters break the fourth wall or swap their characters.

Another highlight of this production is the use of periodic music, with the actors pairing up as musicians to play and sing the pieces and with musical compositions by Rebekah Hughes. This is used to great effect and really cements poignant moments in the play. The vocals during the acapella group numbers in particular are goosebump rendering and further enhance the emotional resonance of the piece.

Whilst one can appreciate there are limitations that come with open air theatre in the round in terms of production value, it is disappointing to see a lack of props used throughout this piece. Apart from a garden table and a few chairs, there is little else to be admired in terms of set design by Jess Curtis. This is perhaps a missed opportunity to portray the differences of social class and society as the story transports to different locations, even if it doesn't necessarily take away from the overall impact of the story due to the fantastic performances of the cast overall.

What sets these productions apart from other productions is the atmosphere created. From the offset, there is a connection created between cast and audience, allowing the audience to be whisked away by the magic of theatre.

Pride and Prejudice runs at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre until 31st August, alternating with other shows, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Alice and Wonderland.

Tickets and More Information

★★★★☆ (4*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Mark McNulty