Pride and Prejudice has been adapted countless times: examples range from the 1995 BBC TV adaptation which brought us Colin Firth’s iconic Mr Darcy, to Pride & Prejudice & Zombies. The novel is still studied in GCSE, A Level and IB English classrooms across the country. Jane Austen’s much-loved book is a formidable story to bring to the stage, yet I am delighted to report that the Sevenoaks School Theatre Company rose to the challenge magnificently, delivering a wonderful evening that did full justice to this classic story.
If you aren’t lucky enough to be familiar with Austen’s novel, it transports you to Regency-era England with its country houses, horse-drawn carriages, and sprawling Hertfordshire gardens. Here, we encounter the young and brilliant Elizabeth Bennet as she is taken through the whirlwind of polite society: the pompous Mr Collins, the ups and downs of the many Bennet sisters, and of course the great love story of Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. From resentment to unrequited love, from first meeting at the ball to happy marriage by the novel’s end, everything you could ask for in a romance was brought alive in a single evening.
It was truly wonderful to see the story adapted for the stage! Not just to hear Austen’s words aloud, but to become lost in the world that the play built – butlers buttoned up in three-piece turquoise suits, the long tailcoats and tall boots of an English gentleman, and dozens of magnificent dresses befitting of such a period piece. Not only that, but seeing the Sackville Theatre transformed by a gallery wall of gold-framed portraits and the acting space anchored by two pairs of enormous Georgian double doors.
This was an excellent combined effort from our Upper Sixth and Year 11 actors. From the lead roles to last gentleman, lady or servant, it was wonderful to see such passionate and talented students give their all to a fantastic show. Congratulations to the entire brilliant cast!
As always, an enormous amount of work goes into these productions from our heroes behind the scenes. The SSTC crew is made up of students from all years: working backstage, co-ordinating the show and operating lights and sound from the balcony – the production truly could not happen without them! A huge thank you also to the staff across so many departments who made this possible: our talented directors, costume designers, set-makers and so many more.
Finally, thank you to those who came to watch the show and support! I am always impressed by the endless commitment and talent of those working on productions like these, but most importantly, Pride and Prejudice was an absolute delight to watch! Well done to all those involved!
Sam, Lower Sixth
