History, they say, is written by the victors. Her story, on the other hand, in the case of Isobel McArthur’s riotously funny adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, is told by the loo-sers in the form of a sextet of lowly domestics for whom there is no happy ever after. (On the plus side, they’ve seen everyone naked.)

Their carpets may be beaten, their mops may be sunk and their sheets may be all shook up, but their spirits are as strong as an ox as they take a wrecking ball to the fourth wall and reenact Jane Austen’s comedy of manners with great gusto.

The tone of which can be inferred from Elizabeth’s sarcastic description of her oldest sister’s much-remarked beauty: “Jane would look nice if we lacquered her in liquid shite.” How quaint!

Shifting in and out of roles (not to mention increasingly tight corners) with grace and guile, and dispensing witty one-liners and showstopping looks with the ease of a Paul Merton Impro Chum, the six-strong cast are not only at a ball, but on the ball and having a ball.

Isobel McArthur is splendid as the loquacious Mrs Bennett and taciturn Mr Darcy whose emotional repression is shared by the former’s five unmarried daughters as they vent steam through song. One of the many highlights being Meghan Tyler’s caustic rendition of You’re So Vain as she shines in the role of Elizabeth.

Hannah Jarrett-Scott is in fine comedic form too, physically and verbally, as she alternates between the goofy Mr Bingley and his pompous sister Miss Bingley whose Hyacinth Bucket-like antics are continually chucklesome.

As are Tori Burgess, Felixe Forde and Christina Gordon’s. With the latter showing her range as she pirouettes between the porcelain doll Jane and monstrous Lady “Fucking” Catherine.

Hats off to Paul Brotherston, artistic director of Blood of the Young, for creating a gem of a show which sparkles from start to finish. But the cherry on the wedding cake is not the humour alone, but the heart which pulses in search of love.

Peter Callaghan
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