Jane Austen gets a new look (From Northwich Guardian)

Jane Austen gets a new look

9:21am Wednesday 19th March 2008 in Theatre & arts By Frances Kindon

ONE of the nation's most loved romances, Pride and Prejudice, is coming to the Harlequin Theatre's stage in Northwich from Wednesday, April 2 to Saturday, April 5.

Kelly Kitchen, making her directorial debut at the Northwich Harlequins, is delighted to have assembled a cast blending new and well-known faces to present the famous Bennett family of five girls and their parents with authenticity.

Keeping the early 19th century feel, fathers will sympathise with Mr Bennett's heavily outnumbered position (played by John Smith - Waltz of the Toreadors,) while the subtleties of Mrs Bennett's predicament, with an uncertain financial future and five dependent daughters, are well brought out by Lorraine Shuker (Communicating Doors).

Newcomer Lucy Denman plays the beautiful Jane Bennett, whose romance with Mr Bingley (Ben Brunsden - Of Mice and Men) is almost ruined by the rest of her family.

Meanwhile, Jenny Oates (Communicating Doors, Kindertransport) plays Elizabeth Bennett, whose quickly formed dislike of the reserved Mr Darcy (Dylan White - Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Wind in the Willows) turns into gratitude and finally love.

Supporting them are Richard Sadler, last seen as Lennie in the sell-out production Of Mice and Men at the Harlequin, Caroline Young, Maureen Melville, Amy Norwood, and newcomer Matt Bird, who played Jimmy Parker in the Macclesfield production of Look Back in Anger.

Performances start at 7.45pm and tickets, priced £6 or £5 for students, are available by calling 01606 41597, through the website at boxoffice@harlequinplayers.co.uk, or in person through the DAN offices above Northwich Library, Witton Street.