Pride & Prejudice – A New Musical

This is the third performance of a musical version of Pride & Prejudice – A New Musical I have seen, a wonderful adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel (by Carl Lawton – words and Louella Jury – music).The first two were presented by Huon Valley Theatre Inc. as a vehicle for showcasing the skills and talents of the Huon Youth Theatre group. This is a more fully realised vision, showcasing the talents of The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Tasmania.

The outcome was quite different. Interesting directorial and staging choices by director Anne Blythe-Cooper (who performed in the previous version) added to the production values, but could have been risky.

The sets were clever and quite lovely with great attention to detail. I loved the “Pemberley Hall” set, which featured a lovely hallway – Trompe-l'œilstyle – with surprising entrances and exits, from working doors. With the period furniture, multiple props, and excellent costumes, this worked beautifully. Text projected onto the set during Miss Austen narration was an interesting ploy. Slight changes by the director highlighted the morality aspect, of pride and prejudice.

The choice of using a revolving set - to make to make the most of scene changes, in a timely and (mostly) effective fashion - worked, although there was some mechanical noise perceptible during scene changes which weren’t covered (masked) by a song or music. This problem could be remedied by extending a song, or as a prelude of perhaps further use of music to introduce a scene change. The music was excellent: pianist Iestyn Perry, flautist Teresa Kingsbury and cellist Alex Legg were marvellous.

Voices, as expected of a G&S production, were of a high standard. The chorus work was lovely, very well-mannered, and had a certain tableau effect which worked beautifully. Stand-out songs/voices: Anna Maynard (Lizzie Bennet); Andrew Hickman (Mr Darcy); Naarah Barnes (narrator, Miss Austen) and a strong voice from young Daniel Whitfort (Charles Bingley).

With such excellent roles for performers, experienced actors had fun with the parts that have almost become theatrical stereotypes: Ian Williams (Rev William Collins) was pomposity itself, and Helen Edwards (Lady Catherine de Bourgh) excruciatingly snobby. The Bennets, Phillip Crouch and (understudy) Sara Coates, were just as we expect: Mr Bennet, droll and sympathetic, Mrs Bennet, irritatingly foolish. Too many people to compliment! Ensemble: the secret to the success of a musical such as this. Excellent!

Merlene Abbott