‘Pride and Prejudice’ to impress audiences
Picture the serenity of the stage: white sheer curtains with silhouette lighting throughout the show that sets the mood for an early 19th century production, “Pride and Prejudice.”
“Pride and Prejudice,” adapted from the novel by Jane Austen, has entered the stage as a Utah State University theater production. After taking my seat for the performance, I was taken in by the stage and costumes. The white costumes worn by the women created a serene atmosphere. It is obvious that a lot of planning went into the planning of the costumes and the set.
Not having seen the six-hour movie or read any of Jane Austen’s books, I was not sure what to expect. Marriage is the underlying theme throughout the theater production, with a running time of 3 hours, with one intermission.
The Bennet family consists of five daughters and no sons. The mother of the family, Mrs. Bennet, was brilliantly played by Wendi Hassan. An outflow of energy burst on the stage whenever she was acting in a scene. I found myself looking forward to what she would say or do next.
Mrs. Bennet fears none of her five daughters will marry, resulting in the loss of the family house to a cousin.
Reality steps in as each daughter acts on her own wants and needs when marriage is an issue. The best performance comes from Vanessa Ballam Brenchley, who plays Elizabeth Bennet.
By the second act, the play really comes alive and the audience is more warmed up to the plot and the actors. Whether you’re an advocate for marriage or avoiding the issue for as long as possible, everyone in the audience will be able to relate to at least one of the characters.
Another powerful performance came from Cassandra E. Orr as bold and wealthy Lady Catherine de Bourgh, the benefactress of the cousin whom Mrs. Bennet fears will inherit her house.
The music played in the background made if difficult to hear the actors. And an abundance of characters, often on the stage at the same time, sometimes made it difficult to find a focal point on the stage.
Overall, I fell in the love with the production the same time some of the characters fell in love with each other. After it was over, I realized the production is a lot like falling in love. At first, you fear to watch a play adapted from a Jane Austin novel, because you fear you may actually like it. Then once you consider giving it a chance, you realize when it’s all said and done, you enjoyed it all along.
If I were to give it a grade, I’d give it a B- – but I can almost guarantee by the final night of the show it will deserve an A.
“Pride and Prejudice” shows today and Feb. 28, March 1-3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Morgan Theater, USU Chase Fine Arts Center. Tickets are free to USU students with student ID, $8 for adults, $6 for USU faculty, staff and senior citizens and $5 for youth ages 6 to 18. Children under age 6 will not be admitted. Tickets can be purchased through the USU ticket office, either in person or by calling 797-0305.