Review of San Jose Repertory Theater’s Pride and Prejudice
The San Jose Mercury News reviews the San Jose Repertory Theatre’s production of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, previously blogged about here. The reviewer, a confessed Janeite, allows that while the production is not without fault, she still enjoys it. It is, after all, Jane.
Indeed there are times when Jory’s show (a co-production between the Rep, Arizona Theatre Company and Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre) lacks something in the way of urgency. Like a fruitcake with many delicious pieces of cherry and orange but a somewhat bland pound cake binding them together, this production misses some of the literary deliciousness that Austenophiles (yours truly, for instance) have come to crave from the oh-so yummy courtship of middle-class Lizzie Bennet (Julia Dion) and richer-than-god Darcy (Anthony Marble).
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Lest you think me too critical, a veritable Darcy even, pray understand that on the whole I found this “Pride and Prejudice” most amusing. David Pichette courts giggles as the witty but clueless papa Bennet and Remi Sandri’s hard-of-hearing uncle-shtick could make even the dour Lady Catherine de Bourgh (a withering turn by Pat Nesbit) crack a smile.
The play runs now through December 30. As always, AustenBlog welcomes reader reviews.
December 5th, 2005 at 12:23 pm
Yes, I believe that is the same show I saw in Tucson.
December 7th, 2005 at 6:40 pm
Wow, I can’t believe the San Jose play of P&P is mentioned here, and I just happened to see it over the weekend like the obsessive Austen fan I am! Here’s my reader review:
About the play itself, well……I liked that they used most of the same words as Austen, but didn’t mind too much when they created their own lines. Overall, it was funny and goofy and likeable.
I was disappointed in the Darcy actor; he played him too stiff and there was no change in him even toward the end. It made him look like he’s never been with any woman, and I would think Darcy wasn’t a monk.
I had trouble with the Jane actor; she had a deep voice, so she never sounded sweet and gentle as I always pictured Jane would be.
The actress playing Lizzy was spirited, but overwrought. I appreciate the overwrought emoting when she was defending Jane, but didn’t like it otherwise. Lizzy would be a little more controlled in emotions than that.
The actor playing Fitzwilliam had a Scottish burr. (Yes, you read right). It was to distinguish the fact that the actor doubled as Bingley. I thought it only an odd decision, but my friends roared with laughter so hard I thought they were going to fall out of their seats. Fitzwilliam could have been acted as quiet and serious in contrast to Bingley, just like the interpretation of Fitzwilliam in P&P1 (1980s version).
The actress playing Mrs. Gardiner–Big Shudder. She played her brash. She bellowed her lines. Who ever hear of a bellowing Mrs. Gardiner?
Last thing, the actor playing Wickham was gorgeous! Big hunky face and body and low voice like velvet. Somehow he came across as sympathetic and not despicable at all even toward the end. I wanted him rather than Darcy!
After the play was over, we got to meet some of the cast in a 30 minute Q&A session. They mentioned they had just played in Arizona, where the production originated, and after San Jose, will go on to Atlanta, Georgia, if anyone wants to see it.
So in summary it was great seeing P&P on stage, even if it came out goofy and somewhat flawed.