Thursday, October 11, 2018

Day 301 PPT's Pride and Prejudice - Unconventional Version- a "Dramatic Parody" at the O'Rielly Theater

Sisters from right to left, Lydia, Lizzy and Jane*

"Pride and Prejudice" is a classic Jane Austen romantic novel that most of us  read  at some point in our school history. Although written in 1800’s it still remains a popular English novel and  has  been adapted into numerous plays, movies and even a TV series. Pittsburgh Public Theater’s production of Pride and Prejudice by Kate Hamill  is quite unconventional. This version managed to keep a recognizable thread of the iconic story but injected exaggerated humor akin to a Monty Python parody of this classic. If you are expecting the traditional story then you might be disappointed with this “dramatic parody” but if you can keep an open mind, you will get the best of both worlds- superb acting and fast paced zany humor.  


Opening dance *

Reflection
The play opens  with symbolism as the eight person cast dressed in white seem joyous  as they dance and play.  Maybe they are interacting without societal labels,  preconceived opinions of each other and pride or prejudices (or maybe I am over thinking it and the opening was just meant to be fun). It was different nonetheless.


 The play is also performed with the audience seated on all four sides. The actors weave though the audience at various times during the play since  part of the set is located among the audience. The rainbow of colors hanging from the theater chandeliers gave a clue that a whimsical show was going to follow.

The original  Jane Austen story  even without any adaptation had many treads of humor. Four Bennet sisters seek a husband in order to keep the family from being poverty stricken when Mr. Bennet passes.  In the 1800’s girls could not inherit property. The importance of marrying a  wealthy man in this English society  superseded happiness especially for Mrs. Bennet (Elena Alexandratos) who is obsessed with finding a wealthy bachelor for her girls.

The girls each have distinctive personalities and these personalities are exaggerated in this version. Jane (Ashley Bufkin) is the eldest and most beautiful with an optimistic view of the world. Lizzy (Simone Recasner) is an intelligent independent women who is not interested in marriage.  Mary (played by a man, Andrew William Smith)  is  more interested in books and lectures then men and the youngest, Lydia (Emma Mercier) is a 14 year old free spirited girl.   

The play begins at a ball where Jane meets and falls for playboy and wealthy Mr. Bingley (Andrew William Smith’s duel role).  His friend Mr. Darcy (Ryan Garbayo) is one of the richest  men in England and he  thwarts Bingley’s connection with Jane because she is not his societal equal.  Jane’s heart is broken but things turn around for her in the end.

Lizzy (Simone Recasner) and Mr Darcy (Ryan Garbayo) *
Over the course of the play even though they both try to resist,  Mr. Darcy develops an interest in Lizzy .  Their  interaction was the “drama part of the play” and it was superbly acted by Garboyo and Recasner and by far my favorite part of the action.  Eventually Lizzy over comes her prejudices about Darcy and he overcomes his pride which leads to their  happily ever after. There is more drama and comedy  in-between before the play ends with an eighties dance party. 

At first, maybe because  I am a fan of the original story or because I did not expect the injection of the zany comedy, I did not enjoy the changes to my beloved story. If fact, it seemed at times a little over the top in an attempt to be different.  Although skillfully done, there were  women playing men, men playing women and  actors playing multiple characters that caused humorous fast wardrobe changes. When both characters had to be on the stage simultaneously, as a gag, the clothes of one of the characters  glided across the stage on a maniken. There was continued audience laughter as Mary, pathetic and  unattractive, was  played by the same actor as Mr. Bingley (a 6 foot 4 inch tall Andrew William Smith).


From the waves of laughter, many  in the audience loved the  levity of the play. My friend and I agreed that  our brains adapted to its madcap nature after the intermission and we began to laugh along with the others.

A kin to a parody (see Day 286-William Shakespeare's Long Lost Play ) Pride and Prejudice  by Kate Hamill gives you some dramatic moments and a lot wacky humor. This is an enjoyable -“Dramatic Parody” if you can be open enough to accept  this  type of adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel and have fun with it!

* Photos by Michael Henninger

(Pride and Prejudice runs from September 27 through October 28, 2018 at the O'Rielly Theater . For tickets go to ppt.org).

Spiritual Source
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble" James 4;6
      
 Other Sources