Love, treachery, jealousy, status anxiety, conflict, passion — 'Pride And Prejudice' is as deliciously appealing today as it was at the time it was written.
There are not many people who are not familiar with the literary classic penned by Jane Austen and for good reason. It covers the gamut of human emotions but never strays far from the core concept which is a love story. This version being performed by the Brisbane Arts Theatre has been adapted by Helen Jerome to great effect and Wes van Gelderen has stepped into the lead role of Mr Darcy.
Describe the production in five words?
Capitol. Decadent. Timeless. Rousing. Posterity.
What is your role and how did you come to be involved?
I am playing Darcy who does have a first name. It helped in my character development to think of him as a proud 18th century version of 'Madonna' or 'Prince'. His first name does not appear in our stage production only in the Jane Austen novel as Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Why do you think audiences keep coming back to watch these classics? What about them is so appealing?
I have spent much time researching and trying to understand what it would be like to live in the 1800s and get feel for this distant world. I feel that Elizabeth Bennet, Darcy, Wickham, Bingley, Lady Catherine, all these people with their eccentricities and dreams still walk amongst us today — and we recognise them amongst our friends and peers on stage. Jane Austen captures a slice of time in this novel and the themes of pride, prejudice, jealousy and love are just as prevalent in human nature today as they have always been.
What is your favourite line in the play and why?
Elizabeth speaking of Army Officers and responding to Lydia her younger sister, who prefers men in uniform,
Elizabeth: “Army officers are always excellent companions, You can talk to them and be thinking of something else at the same time.”
Elizabeth has a cutting humour loaded with subtext of which often only her father can relate. Lydia's confused response “I don't see why”, still amuses me in rehearsal.
What are the lessons to be learnt from this play?
Do not judge a book by a cover. There are more to people than you think. Not everyone fits in a box. You can be witty and beautiful. They say first impressions are 99 percent accurate. Trying to find this statistic, I was led to Wikipedia and lo and behold, 'Pride and Prejudice' references pop up.
Best advice about love you've been given?
So many men and woman search for the perfect partner. Only if we are a perfect person can we expect this search to be fruitful. I like to be treated like a king by my partner. It is quite interesting the negative reaction this response inevitably invokes. To be honest it is only a hope and I say it tongue-in-cheek. I endeavour to treat my girlfriend like a queen, and yes I get a lot of breakfasts in bed. And never go to bed angry with your partner.
If someone were to play you in a play, who would it be and why?
Anthony Starr. I find his acting genuine, and he would have more or less the correct accent.
What do you want audiences to say as they leave?
'Mr Collins was hilarious – especially in his proposal to Elizabeth!' or 'I wish we had kept that socialite fashion up' or 'Would you like to see it again?'
See 'Pride and Prejudice' at the Brisbane Arts Theatre from March 8 – April 12.
