“…How pleasant it is to spend an evening in this way!..”This line, with its full-hearted sincerity, lands late in Pride and Prejudice, but it could easily have come from the audience in response to this witty, warm and spirited new adaptation now playing at Grosvenor Park.

Review by Fiona MacSween

The latest offering from Storyhouse is a beautiful reimagining of Jane Austen’s classic in the 250th anniversary of her birth. A set and players dressed in rich green tones and Liberty-style patterns that echo the pastoral beauty of the setting and the emotional growth of its characters, this production leans heavily on humour – and rightly so. There is natural chemistry among the Bennet sisters, their sibling rhythms clear and authentic. Their a capella harmonies towards the end of Act One are particularly lovely – both musically and emotionally resonant.

The use of music throughout is a hallmark of this production, tracing the passing seasons and moods. Occasionally, for me, it sometimes verged on overuse, causing the pace to feel flat in moments. Still, the music is stunning in its composition and delivery with Wickham’s (Westbury) solo a standout – beautifully sung and touchingly performed – a surprising moment of sincerity from a character not usually known for depth. Darcy (Ethan Reid), meanwhile, is played with a spiky, almost obnoxious aloofness – not instantly charming, but very much in keeping with the ‘Pride’ of the title. That word, along with ‘Prejudice’, gets thoughtful treatment in this production: Lizzie’s soliloquy-like speech at the beginning of Act Two gives insight into her shifting self-perception, almost diary-like in tone, delivered beautifully by Alyce Liburd. It’s one of the show’s quieter but stronger moments. Jane (Baker) is irresistibly funny, matched by a riotous Lydia (Jolleys) and Mr Collins (Reid) played with perfect, exaggerated pomposity is nothing short of hilarious – an audience favourite.

As always with Grosvenor Park productions, audience interaction is part of the joy – whether through playful asides or clever movement in the narrative using the audience itself. Even simple walking is turned into character-rich choreography, and the transitions between roles are handled with wonderful fluidity The joy of this open-air production lies in its willingness to bend form: the music, the fourth-wall breaking, the character-swapping – all serve to foreground the themes of identity and misjudgment in new, playful ways.

This Pride and Prejudice isn’t just about romance. It’s about assumptions and transformations – and above all, connection. That comes through not just in the writing or direction, but in the fresh energy of a young cast, including Ella and Amy from SYC making impressive professional debuts. The first page of the programme celebrates the outstanding work of the Storyhouse Young Company.

If you think you know Pride and Prejudice, think again – and then head to Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre to fall in love all over again. Most ardently. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️