PRIDE & PREJUDICE* (*SORT OF) LOWRY, SALFORD - REVIEW BY NATALIE ANGLESEY


Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of)

 By Isobel McArthur after Jane Austen

 Lowry, Salford until Saturday



Jane Austen may well have swooned at the very thought of anyone tampering with her beloved Pride and Prejudice. So plaudits go to Isobel McArthur for being brave enough to meddle with what is considered to be a literary classic. Arriving at Lowry in Salford after its triumphant run in the West End where it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy, this production may shock an audience unprepared for so many radical changes. 

Although this production is still about the themes of money, true love and avarice, yet far from following in Austen’s footsteps, this show is more a musical than a straight play. For example, the all female cast perform a string of pop classics including Young Hearts Run Free, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow and You’re So Vain - much to the delight of the audience. 


The hard – working ensemble work their literary socks off in a multitude of roles. They each deserve a medal. Emma Rose Creaner plays Tillie, Charlotte Lucas, Charles and Miss Bingley. Eleanor Kane not only plays Anne, Mary and Lydia Bennet as well as Mr Gardiner. While Rhianna McGreevy plays Flo, Mrs Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. Naomi Preston Low plays Effie and Elizabeth Bennet. Meantime Christine Steel plays Clara, Jane Bennet, and, one of my personal favourites, Lady Catherine de Burgh. A stalwart band of fellow actors add to the merriment. 


 To add to this confusing, yet vastly entertaining production of Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) is directed by Olivier and Evening Standard Theatre Award Winner Isobel McArthur. It’s produced by David Pugh and Cunard with Newcastle Theatre Royal. The Comedy staging is by Jos Houben, Design by Ana Inés Jabares-Pita, with Lighting by Colin Grenfell, Choreography by Emily Jane Boyle, and musical supervision by Michael John McCarthy. This hilarious production may not be to the taste of Austen purists but it certainly entertained the audience at the Lowry in Salford including this very picky critic!

Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) is at the Lowry until Saturday 22nd March 2025. Tue – Sat 7.30pm, Wed & Sat 2pm Access Performances: Audio Described Sat 2pm. https://thelowry.com/whats-on/174//pride-and-prejudice-sort-of



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