Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review
With the glowing orange hue of the setting sun peeking beyond the tree tops and a light breeze brushing your face, one is almost transported to the hills of Hertfordshire from the comfort of your picnic blanket. The perfect setting for an enemies to lovers story and a thoroughly peaceful experience....until Mrs Bennet appears to make some short family introductions that is (with her nerves she does hate to converse you know).
Pride and Prejudice is a Jane Austen classic and is bought to life wonderfully by Illyria Theatre. Despite some characters lacking projection at times and others straining to be heard across the city, the unadulterated Bennet family welcome you into their story and their home with an unquestionable familiarity, wit and physical humour worthy of Jane Austen herself. Lauren Wilson demands the stage as the matriarch of the family and ensures no word penned by Miss Austen goes unannounced without a dramatic flourish. This dramatic physicalisation is an overarching theme throughout the performance, causing laughter to roll across the park and beyond. No moment quite so much as David Koski (and his coconut)'s depictions of the Coach Driver and of Mr Colins' flamboyant ball dancing style. There is a silliness to Illyria's interpretation of Pride and Prejudice that is endearing and while not a wholly polished performance, commendation must be given to the actors' stamina and heart.
With multiple characters and costume changes per scene, it is a good job the actors have boundless energy and the houses in the play have long corridors. Minimal set and props made understanding scenes a little more challenging for unseasoned Pride and Prejudice viewers, but ensured the space was adaptable and allowed the actors' use of the space to shine. With references to a film adaptation slotted in alongside scripture from the novel this production is an enjoyable watch for all; Whether you are a die hard Jane Austen fan, a complete beginner or were just lured in by Colin Firth emerging from a lake in a rather wet shirt.
Illyria Theatre are touring four productions this summer, The Wind In The Willows, HMS Pinafore, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Pride and Prejudice. Find full tour dates and further information from https://www.illyria.co.uk/
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