What To Expect From Newcastle Theatre Royal's First Co-Production in a Decade
Let the ruthless matchmaking begin…
This will be the theatre’s first co-production for more than 10 years and will see the triumphant launch of the Oliver and Evening Standard Award-winning comedy when it returns to the Grey Street venue after its 2023 sold-out run.
Writer and director Isobel McArthur, one of the most exciting new talents in theatre today having unprecedentedly, for a young female writer, won both an Evening Standard award and an Olivier award makes it clear you don’t need to know a single thing about Jane Austen, or her books, to enjoy this adaptation!
In this version, the classic tale Pride & Prejudice is set to a karaoke soundtrack featuring a string of pop classics including ‘Young Hearts Run Free’, ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow’ and ‘You’re So Vain’.
Told by the female servants, this adaptation is in the spirit of Austen herself and the way she writes. It’s funny, feminist and front footed!
Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) first played at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow in 2018. Its 2019 tour included sell-out shows at Northern Stage and the production visited Newcastle Theatre Royal for the first time in early 2023, where it received five-star reviews and standing ovations.
There are 119 named characters in the original Pride & Prejudice which have been reduced to an essential 18 in this production – played by just five actors. Lightning-fast costume changes are required from the cast throughout. They also play the instruments, sing the songs and perform all the scene changes.
The cast for this new production includes Emma Rose Creaner, Eleanor Kane, Rhianna McGreevy, Naomi Preston Low, Christine Steel and Georgia Firth. Also joining the company, from Washington, Isobel Donkin and from Newcastle, Susie Barrett.
Men, money and microphones will be fought over in this irreverent but affectionate adaptation where the stakes couldn’t be higher when it comes to romance.
