Review: 'Pride & Prejudice'

Available Light hits another home run with clever adaptation

By Dwayne Steward

Metromix

If you're a fan of Jane Austen, it would behoove you to make a trip over to downtown's Vern Riffe Center before Jan. 24.

Performances of "Pride and Prejudice" in Columbus are few and far between, and performances of the classic love tale that are done right are even rarer. But popular local troupe Available Light Theater has somehow caused a rift in the time continuum and done just that. (We were given the opportunity to take a gander at the company's full dress rehearsal Jan. 13).

Available Light's version of "Prejudice"—written by theater veteran Daniel Elihu Kramer (CATCO's "The Pillow Man," Phoenix Theatre's "Many Moons")—is not only artistically viable, but it's brilliantly enhanced with perfectly timed informational and humorous asides.

The story, which follows the lives of five sisters in 19th-century England and their experiences finding and losing love, is performed by only five actors who skillfully take on a few dozen characters. However, Kramer's cleverness is revealed when the actors begin reciting Austen's prose and other tidbits within the dialogue.

While Mrs. Bennet (the bubbly Kim Garrison Hopcraft) is fluttering about a party, she moves the plot along by saying, "And Mrs. Bennet continued to embarrass herself." And she also (along with the others) often breaks character to discuss favorite fan questions (Why do we hate Mrs. Bennet so much?) or offer insight (Hopcraft's chuckle-inducing repetition of "London" as the meaning for "town"). Famous quotes from various film adaptations are even satirically sprinkled throughout.

Adding real-time footnotes to the staging of a classic might not sound like a day at the beach, but under Eleni Papaleonardos' poignant and daring direction, it works. The production could be considered long-winded at two-and-a-half hours (with a 10-minute intermission), but you're more than likely not to notice the running time, as the play moves at an enjoyably brisk pace.

Acacia Duncan and Wolf Sherrill shine in the key romance between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Though there seems to be a whirlwind of hysterical interruptions swirling around them, they pull off two beautifully emotional scenes.

All five actors are phenomenal in their ability to move from role to role, making each character different and instantly recognizable. Jeremy Ryan Brown aptly plays both Mr. Bingley and Mr. Bennet (among other roles), while Sherrill also takes on an amusing Mr. Collins.

However, it is Michelle G. Schroeder who shoulders the brunt of the casting. She remarkably takes on the giddy Lydia, the lovesick and later heartbroken Jane, the flighty Caroline Bingley and the detestable Lady Catherine. And she even serves as the author herself, reciting some of the famous letters Austen wrote to her sisters and niece (another one of Kramer's brilliant touches).

Darin Keesing's intimate set (filled with books written by—and about—Austen), his beautifully subtle lighting, and Michelle Whited's perfectly detailed period costumes are all just icing on the cake.

Whether you're a fan of Jane Austen, a fan of love, or simply a fan of a well-performed story, Available Light's adaptation is a diversion we suggest you give into.

Jane Austen's "Pride & Prejudice" by Available Light Theatre runs Jan. 14-24 in Studio Two of the Vern Riffe Center. Ticket prices are based on the company's popular Pay What You Want system. To purchase tickets or get more information, visit Darcy4ever.com.