Lifeline Theatre Presents PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: A VIRTUAL PLAY Review — A Classic Gone Modern

How important is love? And what lengths will someone go to find it?

In Lifeline Theatre’s PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: A VIRTUAL PLAY, we see just how deep class boundaries are and who is willing to break them for romance.

Lifeline Theatre’s PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: A VIRTUAL PLAY is portrayed through Zoom, with each character up close to their screen, reciting lines and portraying complex figures first penned in 1813 in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Backgrounds range from a busy bookcase to a simple dining room wall—allowing us to focus all the more on the performances of our at-home actors.

Physical setting aside, for this reviewer, the largest idea to overcome was that this love story born out of another, bygone era could come to life in modern day. The old-world charm of grand balls and the responsibilities of high-class life meet new-world inventions—such in the case for Mr. Darcy, an anti-social elite, is updated to our time.  Here, we see him burying himself in his cellphone at a party when trying to avoid guests.

Similarly, while the modern setting adds a twist, those familiar other renditions of Austen’s classic tale as this writer is may sense a new twist in the characters.  Lizzy, the lead protagonist, for example, is more understanding this time around—when more often than not, in more traditional renditions of this story she is portrayed as quick to judge or perhaps cold.

What brings Austen’s story from the depths of the 1800s and into modern day is the universal truth—that love can conquer all, in this writer’s view. No matter how many years have passed since Austen initially published the novel, and no matter how many renditions of said classic lovers’ tale exist, one thing remains evident: this is a story that can and does exist in any age.

For lovers of classic literature turned to plays, bookmark the Lifeline Theatre website for information on upcoming productions.

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Cast:

Bilal Dardai (Mr. Bingley, Townsperson), Andrés Enriquez (Mr. Darcy), Peter Greenberg (Sir William, Colonel Forster, Mr. Gardiner, Townsperson), Chris Hainsworth (Mr. Bennet), Katie McLean Hainsworth (Mrs. Bennet), Anthony Kayer (Mr. Collins, Townsperson), Martel Manning (Colonel Fitzwilliam, Townsperson), Mike McKeogh (Mr. Wickham, Townsperson), Jenifer Tyler (Mrs. Gardiner, Lady Catherine, Townsperson); with guest artists Caroline Andres (Violinist), Lydia Hiller (Kitty Bennet, Caroline Bingley, Townsperson), Kristina Loy (Jane Bennet), Phoebe Moore (Lydia Bennet, Miss de Bourgh, Townsperson), Samantha Newcomb (Elizabeth Bennet), Vahishta Vafadari (Charlotte Lucas, Mary Bennet, Townsperson) and special appearance by Christina Calvit (Mr. Darcy's Housekeeper).

 

Production Team:

Dorothy Milne (Director) and Christina Calvit (Adaptor); with Eric Backus (Sound Designer/Engineer), Jennifer McClendon (Stage Manager/Lifeline Production Manager), Sam Moryoussef (Lifeline Asst. Production Manager/Master Electrician) and Harrison Ornelas (Lead Video Editor/Lifeline Technical Director).

When:

September 10 - October 4

Tickets:

Name Your Own Price, or $20 suggested donation

Photos courtesy of Lifeline Theatre

Margaret Smith ( Photo by Mike Rundle )

About the Author: Margaret Smith ( Photo by Mike Rundle )

Margaret Smith is a Chicago-based, multi-genre writer and editor. They are a graduate of Columbia College Chicago, a lover of all-things theater, and a crossword puzzle enthusiast. More of their work can be found on the Better Magazine website.

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