It is a truth universally acknowledged that Aidan Theatre is set to stage Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice next week.
Today also marks 207 years since the renowned English novelist died.
The story, set in the Regency period of British history, follows the Bennet family but very much focuses on the tempestuous relationship between Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country gentleman, and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich aristocrat and owner of the great Pemberley estate.
They story unfolds as they try to overcome the titular sins of pride and prejudice.
It will be the second time the Timaru-based theatre group has tackled a stage adaptation of the famous novel, which was published in 1813.
Director Kimble Henderson said after a successful run in 2016, the play was back by demand.
‘‘We had been talking since 2019 about Pride and Prejudice. We’d been seeing shows overseas during that Covid time and were inspired by the cleverness of physical theatre and the pace you can add to things.
‘‘Of course, we also just love Pride and Prejudice — it’s a really cool, funny, romantic story and audiences very much enjoyed it last time.’’
Prea Millar, who plays Elizabeth Bennet, said a lot of people dismissed Pride and Prejudice as just a classic old romance tale.
‘‘It’s been done so many times, it’s a classic story and a lot people probably view it as a boring old thing they had to learn about in high school.
‘‘Everyone views it as this classic romantic thing but if you actually know anything about it it’s really a comedy. It’s hilarious.
‘‘It is just filled with shenanigans and I’m sure Jane Austen was having a laugh when she wrote it.’’
Miss Millar was also instrumental in adapting the novel into a much more accessible stage play.
‘‘We’ve made it fast-paced and very snappy from something that is rather slow-paced.
‘‘We’ve had to obviously cut it down. If we were to include everything it would be a four-hour show.
‘‘We are of course trying to be faithful to the story and as people who love the story, it was quite hard to cut and condense a lot of content.
‘‘We’ve had to merge some things — some of the iconic Lady Catherine [de Bourgh] lines are mushed together because we know we need them but it’s about what is serving the plot.
‘‘It’s finding that fun creativity of being a playwright but also honouring a text that already exists. It’s been a really cool challenge.’’
Mrs Henderson said she believed they had really captured the essence of the characters and the world they inhabit.
‘‘The characters are so earnest about the world they live in and the manners and all that, which in 2024 looks a bit like ‘wow, they did what now?’
‘‘It’s kind of beautiful, though. There’s something really nice about the manners, the dances and the social interactions.
‘‘It’s like this is when we talk, this is where we get together as a group of people to have fun — these are things I think we miss now as a society, especially post Covid.’’
She said that with the play focusing so much on families and relationships it was great to have a cast comprising so many real-life relations.
‘‘We’ve got parents and their kids, husband and wives and from my view point as a director there has been a certain amount of qualities and relationship already there that has meant as far as becoming a team, working together and intimacy, a lot of these barriers are already half broken down because people are comfortable working together.’’
Miss Millar said the show was not one to miss.
‘‘It’s joyful, it’s heartwarming, it’s really emotional at times and stressful at others because you know things as an audience that other characters don’t.
‘‘I think one of my favourite things about going to see a show I don’t know much about or haven’t really studied is going to see it and then going home and watching all the different adaptations and learning more.
‘‘I hope that this makes a whole new group of Jane Austen fans.’’
The play will run from July 25-28 at the Timaru Scottish Hall.
There will be matinee performances at 2pm on the 27th and 28th and evening shows at 7pm on the 25th, 26th and 27th.
Clever Catering will be also be providing high tea during the performance.
Tickets can be purchased from the Newmans Music Works website for $45 or $40 for seniors and students.