Review: Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) | UK tour, Glasgow 2025

Lisa in the theatre

1 day ago5 min read

Find out why this little Scottish gem of a play continues to delight audiences with its Austen - comedy - karaoke mashup on its latest UK Tour.

By Isobel McArthur after Jane Austen | Directed by Isobel McArthur

Theatre Royal, Glasgow | 03 March 2025

production photos: Mihaela Bodlovic

Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) uk tour cast 2025. Photo credit: Mihaela Bodlovic

**Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) review, Glasgow ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐**

Isobel McArthur’s Olivier Award winning Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) started off life at the wonderful Tron Theatre in Glasgow way back in 2018. The show took the Scottish theatre scene by storm, and soon word of mouth about this joyous, silly but smart staging of Jane Austen's much-loved novel spread. Picked up by renowned UK theatre producer David Pugh, a run at the Criterion Theatre in London's West End followed, and laterly a wider UK tour.

The play began life as a simply staged, female-led, professional but affordable production. And so it continues to this day. Isobel McArthur remains on board to direct the current UK tour, and her razor-sharp wit and eye for physical comedy are oh so evident in this latest outing. With much the same simple set and staging that I saw at the Tron all those years ago, but with a fresh new super-talented cast donning the brightly coloured Georgian dresses, it's a thrill to welcome this pre-eminent Scottish success back to the stage in Glasgow.

**What is Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) about?**

Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) is an adaptation of Jane Austen's most famous novel... sort of. It's Pride and Prejudice as told by five un-named 'below the stairs' workers. They see and hear everything that goes on in their employer's fancy regency-era homes after all. It's a classic love story told in an unconventional way. It's about characters you know and love: the Bennet sisters and their highly-strung mother, the dashing but aloof Mr Darcy, poor (and perhaps queer!) lovely Charlotte, and who could forget Charles Bingley. It's an exploration of social status, manners, and the enduring power of love in 19th century England.

But the "sort of" is key! This Pride and Prejudice, though mostly faithful to Jane Austen's classic story, comes with added 21st century adornments and some rocking karaoke. Hits from Carly Simon to Bonnie Tyler sneak into the show. It's hilarious, clever and fun.

Ana Ines Jabares-Pita's set for Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) is wonderful. The action centres around a sweeping, grand Georgian staircase, and via a piano, a couch and a couple of inventive props, the audience are transported from the Bennet family home in Meryton, Hertfordshire, to Mr Bingley's Netherfield, to Mr Darcy's Pemberley, over to London, to Kent and back again. Of course this is where the audience must use their imaginations as the set never really changes, but the variety of locations is brilliantly implied with the simple appearance of some candles, a cake stand or some other hilarious flourish from the cast.

This latest UK tour production, though super slick and expertly produced, still feels like fringe theatre. The budget props and chaotic quick scene changes add to the excitement and hilarity of the piece. I'm delighted it hasn't changed to match the growing grandeur of the theatres it now finds itself in. Thank goodness for producers who know when to leave well-enough alone.

Jabares-PIta's costumes too are simple but effective. The 'under stairs staff' transform into innumerable characters by adding colourful overdresses on top of their simple maid attire. Darker, intricate, fussier styles are reserved for the more outrageous characters such as Caroline Bingley and Lady Catherine De Burgh. The cast of five - and thankfully again, this remains unchanged: there are only five actors who undertake every role - change from one character to the next in lightning speed. Kudos to the stage managers and wardrobe managers who keep track of and control the running-order of who's who and who's wearing what to ensure maximum impact and laughs for the audience. The precision organisation and timing does not go unnoticed.

Isobel McArthur's book is magnificent. It pokes fun at Pride and Prejudice in such a way that it shouldn't upset any Austen purists, but the added, well-observed 21st century novelties and character assassinations are sublime. The show romps through the entire Pride and Prejudice plot in a 2 hour run time with barely a pause for breath*. In fact, many in the audience at the Glasgow Theatre Royal seemed to be struggling for breath such was the wide-spread, relentless laughter all evening.

*There are two acts of 1 hour each with a 20 minute interval between.

The enduring themes of sexism, class and the complexity of relationships are all prominent, and the play is still inherently Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Some of the minor characters (such as Darcy's sister Georgiana) are referenced but don't appear on stage, however the play succeeds in feeling complete and satisfying.

As much as McArthur's book is a work of genius and her direction is first rate - who knows how to direct this play better than the playwright herself after all! - Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) does rely on a company of five multi-talented actors to bring the action to life on stage.

Emma Rose Creaner, Eleanor Kane, Rhianna McGreevy, Naomi Preston Law and Christine Steel are the incredible cast taking the stage in Glasgow and they are all perfect. They are genuinely just as good as the OG cast, but they bring their own accents and playful interpretations to the roles.

The physical comedy and musicality in this play should not be underestimated, and with a super-fast paced script, musical instruments, karaoke machines and plenty of small but crucial props to contend with, this company have a lot to contend with. But they all impress with their devastating comic timing, knowing glances to the audience and even the occasional breaking of the fourth wall.

Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) is that rare unicorn of a show that takes a classic work and makes it widely accessible and wildly entertaining. It's also educational! Oh how I wish this play existed when I was forced to read classic literature in high school. This is much more fun way to do it! Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) is an absolute triumph and nothing short a delight from start to finish.