“I want audiences to fall in love with these characters as they fall in love themselves": director Abi Beton has set herself a big task in taking on a stage adaption of the much loved Pride and Prejudice, so I went along to rehearsals to chat with her and Elizabeth Peni Brooks, who is playing Elizabeth Bennet, to find out a bit more. 

The first thing that struck me was just how much fun everyone seemed to be having. This is clearly not going to be an uptight and serious reimagining of Austen’s novel, but one which is going to make the most of all its wit and humour, with characters such as Mrs. Bennet providing great comic moments. Comedy is only one part of the appeal for Beton, whose deep passion for Pride and Prejudice began with the 1995 version (yes, we will see a Colin Firth-esque Darcy in a drenched shirt on the ADC stage!). What truly captured her was the incredible authenticity of the characters. In this abridged version of the Andrew Davies script, staying true to the text has been important in both the costuming – more of that later – and in the representation of the characters and their relationships - an authenticity that has a real relevance today. Beton believes that this love story of two people who don’t fall in love, but rather grow into love through the acknowledgement of their flaws and the development of their personalities, has a realness that isn’t experienced in a lot of modern romances. 

Another key point of Beton’s vision was ensuring that the characters can resonate with today’s audience and the Cambridge student demographic. To make sure the production reflected those values of diversity and inclusivity, the intention from the outset was to cast a BME Elizabeth and Darcy, and from the joyous vibe of the rehearsal room, the cast and directing team are obviously enjoying the challenge of bringing this stage adaptation to life.

“The show doesn’t start when the curtain rises, nor ends when it falls”

“The show doesn’t start when the curtain rises, nor ends when it falls,” is an important element of Beton’s directing style. As such, a focus on making the characters real has been at the heart of the rehearsal room. Time has been devoted to creating both backstories and future stories, on understanding character arcs, and using knowledge from the book to create fully rounded relatable individuals. Benton’s successful translation of such complex written characters to the stage is founded on the dialogic nature of Austen’s writing. The natural quality of her dialogue and the way it reveals depth of character and feeling, makes it a smooth transition for the actors to breathe life and vivacity into the beauty of Austen’s words.

Brooks in particular, has worked hard to bring Lizzie Bennet’s subtleness and complexity from the page to the stage. As a model of female empowerment, Brooks believes that, for the context of her times, Lizzy is outrageous, a rebel; someone who speaks her mind and doesn’t conform to societal expectations. Instead, she prioritises happiness and relationships, and though hemmed in by convention is still determined to exercise her own personal agency. Watching Elizabeth command the stage in rehearsals: it’s clear she will project a vibrant Lizzie, bringing out all the dimensions of Austen’s heroine who can still engage a modern audience. A detailed and layered approach to characterisation runs throughout the production – for example, in Mr. Bennet’s journey from absent father to someone who begins to learn responsibility, or in the thoughtful parallels between the Bennets and Lydia and Wickham. These choices work together to create nuanced, believable characters who feel fully human, whilst also revealing the rich comedic elements within these relationships.

“It’s clear Elizabeth will project a vibrant Lizzie”

The costuming also reflects Benton’s driving principle of staying true to the novel, and she is clearly excited about the challenge of bringing Regency England to life on the ADC stage. She hopes to create an escapist experience through Regency styling that is in keeping with the time period, but using a brighter colour palette to bring light and joy; adopting cool tones for the Bingleys and Darcy and warm tones for the Bennets. The wonderful lead costume designer Helen Lyster has made all but two of the dresses from scratch, and all of the costumes have been made from second hand materials, promoting a sustainable approach, which was important for the directing team.

This looks set to be a joyous and intelligent production that is faithful and relatable. The dialogic nature of Austen’s novels mean they translate well to the stage, allowing these cherished characters to feel alive and authentic. With its beautiful, hand made costuming providing a rich visual experience and many laugh out loud moments, along with some much-practised Regency dancing, it promises to be a fitting celebration of Austen's 250th birthday and the perfect post-exam show

Pride and Prejudice is being shown at the ADC Theatre from Tuesday 17th to Saturday 21st June at 7:45 pm, with a matinee performance at 2:30pm.

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