Thursday, September 6, 2007 , Updated
Theater Review: Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice
| When: | Thursday, Sept. 6, 2007, 7:30 p.m. |
| Where: | The Kalita Humphreys Theater, 3636 Turtle Creek Boulevard, Dallas |
| Cost: | $23 - $60 |
| Age limit: | All ages |
| Full event details » | |
Jane Austen fans will not be disappointed with Dallas Theater Center’s production of Pride and Prejudice which opened this week. With so many adaptations of classics seen in theaters and movies lately, it was refreshing to see one which captures the spirit of the book completely.
The play is about the Bennet family, who live in class driven 19th century England. Mrs. Bennet is concerned with marrying off her five daughters to wealthy, suitable gentleman. When two eligible bachelors show up in the countryside, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, the Bennet household is turned upside down. The play follows the relationship between Elizabeth Bennet, the most headstrong of the Bennet girls, and Mr. Darcy who is snobbish and too proud.
Catherine Sheehy’s new adaptation captures the wit and style of the novel perfectly and although the play was long, it did not seem that way. The relationship between Elizabeth (Kathleen McElfresh) and Mr. Darcy (David Matranga) developed beautifully and made for some of the most engaging moments of the show. Often portrayals of classic lovers tend to fall flat—but the tension and chemistry between the characters was evident from the first moment they were on stage together. Mrs. Bennet (Barbara Broughton) and Lady Catherine de Bourgh (Patricia Hodges) also commanded the stage providing skillful humor and power to the show.
Supporting the great cast were fantastic technical aspects. The set (John Coyne) was designed on large turntables which emulated the hill of an English countryside and rotated to allow for quick scene changes that kept the pace of the show going. The lighting (Paul Whitaker) solved the limitations of the set by making each environment and tone of the scenes unique. The costumes (Katherine Roth) defined the austerity of the period.
DTC has opened their season successfully with a show that is truly a timeless classic. Pride and Prejudice runs through September 23 at the Kalita Humphreys Theater. Tickets are $16-$60 and are available online or by calling 214-522-8499.
