In live theatre, it’s not unheard of for an actor or even entire casts to take on multiple roles. Sometimes, this is out of necessity, as performers may become unexpectedly injured or ill, while other times, the choice to limit the cast is by design. Such is the case with Western Canada Theatre’s modern rendition of the Jane Austen classic, Pride and Prejudice, which features a dedicated team of eight actors.
Because of the small cast, virtually all the actors had to commit to learning the lines for multiple roles while minding their timing on stage and transitions behind the scenes, such as rapid costume changes.
“Every scene is almost in a different location, and then we have multiple actors playing more than one character. There’s a lot of logistics, and we don’t want that getting in the way of telling the story. So we’re finding inventive ways to do that,” said Melissa Oei, an actor with WCT who plays both the headstrong Lydia Bennett and the loathsome Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
The rapid costume changes and dynamic staging are not the only challenges faced by the actors and team. The story tackles what it means to have feminine strength and to be a woman at a time when you had no voice.
Pride & Prejudice critiques the patriarchy by highlighting the limited options for women in the early 19th century. In the play, the Bennett sisters’ futures depend on securing successful marriages because, due to their gender, they are unable to inherit their family estate, illustrating the financial inequality faced by women at the time.
Despite strides made towards creating a more balanced and fair society, the classic holds significance in contemporary Western culture, where women still battle for the equality they rightfully deserve.
This version, written by playwright Kate Hamill, doesn’t pull any punches in its criticism of the patriarchy, providing a lively and fast-paced version of regency-era charm with contemporary humour.
“Kate has pulled out a lot of feminist themes in the show because it does revolve around the character of Lizzie Bennett and her autonomy over wanting to live life her own way,” Oei said. Hamill’s adaptation amplifies the struggles women face in their pursuit of independence and equality, Oei told the Omega.
Directed by veteran theatre artist Scott Bellis, the production promises gender-bending performances, quick character changes and a fresh take on Jane Austen’s classic. The WCT rendition of Pride and Prejudice plays at Kamloops’ Sagebrush Theatre from April 3 to 13 before moving to Richmond’s Gateway Theatre from April 17 to 26. Tickets and more information for the Kamloops venue may be found here.