Pride and Prejudice: OLT’s Page to stage of a classic novel is a major challenge

 

Photo: Maria Vartanova

Condensing any novel into a two-act stage play is a challenge. Many have tried to present the key aspects of Jane Austen’s best-known classic, Pride and Prejudice, on stage and screen. In general, the screen versions have been more successful because they offer broader scope for conveying both the atmospher and content of Austen’s rich novel.

Ottawa Little Theatre selected the Helen Jerome version for its 100^th season as the 1930s representative (which it also included in its 1995-1996 season). Jerome is fairly faithful to the text of the novel, although she has removed two of the Bennett daughters and added a maid in the Gardiner household. However, in 2013, the wordiness of her adaptation creaks more than a little.

Director Geoff Gruson attempts to inject life into the action with such attractive additions as a few moments of harp playing by Mrs. Gardiner (Pat Marshall) and less successful mugging and tongue protrusion from the youngest Bennett daughter, Lydia, (Katie Volkert). The odious Rev. Collins (Ian Stauffer) is also directed to be a little too over the top in his bowing, while the supposedly charming/evil Mr. Wickham (Jeremy Piamonte) fades into the woodwork and Lady Catherine de Bourgh (Ann Scholberg) would be more effective if she were considerably nastier and more authoritative.

Meanwhile, George Stonyk, as Mr. Bennett, delivers a clear characterization, despite occasional uncertainty about lines, and Janet Uren is an appropriately foolish and giggly Mrs. Bennett.

Sara Duplancic appears at ease in the key role of Elizabeth, while Niamh O’Kelly, as Jane, keeps a smile firmly in place through most of the show as evidence of the sweetness of character ascribed to her.

The strongest performance is from Josh Sparks as Mr. Darcy (a tough role considering that it has been inhabited by Laurence Olivier and Colin Firth). Sparks meets the role’s combined demands of stiffness and charm.

Nancy Solman’s sets and the remaining technical aspects of the show, including the carefully managed set changes, create a pleasant ambience and some sense of the 19^th century.

The Ottawa Little Theatre production of Pride and Prejudice continues to March 2.

A dramatization of Jane Austen’s classic novel by Helen Jerome

Ottawa Little Theatre

Director: Geoff Gruson

Associate director: Venetia Lawless

Set: Nancy Solman

Lighting: John Solman

Sound: Andrew Hamlin

Costumes: Emily Soussana

Cast:

Mr. Bennett………………………………………………..George Stonyk

Mrs. Hill/Mrs. Gardiner……………………………………Pat Marshall

Mrs. Bennett……………………………………………….Janet Uren

Lady Lucas…………………………………………………Sharron McGuirl

Charlotte Lucas…………………………………………….Kelly Fuoco

Jane Bennett………………………………………………..Niamh O’Kelly

Elizabeth Bennett…………………………………………..Sara Duplancic

Lydia Bennett………………………………………………Katie Volkert

Mr. Darcy…………………………………………………..Josh Sparks

Mr. Bingley…………………………………………………Kurt Shantz

Mr. Collins………………………………………………….Ian Stauffer

Mr. Wickham……………………………………………….Jeremy Piamonte

Miss Caroline Bingley………………………………………Laura Hall

Maggie………………………………………………..…….Margaret Harvey O’Kelly

Lady Catherine de Bourgh………………………………….Ann Scholberg

Colonel Guy Fitzwilliam………………………………Chris Cottrell