Pride and Prejudice - Altrincham Garrick

WHILE many of the audience know this captivating and gently humorous story backwards, its impossible not to find yourselves aching for a happy ending, especially if it means Elizabeth Bennet escaping the clutches of the horrendous and newly ordained clergyman, Mr Collins.

We, the audience, find ourselves back in the 1800s, when men of a certain social class employed a reverence usually observed for royalty as they tried to impress women they liked were drawn to.

Formality was also rife, with many people referring to each other as ‘Mr’, ‘Miss’ or ‘Mrs’.

There’s a natural and effortless chemistry between Lizzie and Mr D’arcy, thanks to the performances of Faye Alexandra and Tom Broughton as the romantic leads.

Equally enjoyable is Nick Sample as Mr Bennet, struggling to understand what is for him the perplexing behaviour of his predominantly female family, led by a mother whose made it her mission to get her daughters married and their futures secured.

Its equally impossible not to like Megan Collier as Lizzie’s youngest sibling, Lydia, who brings a brattish appeal to a role she evidently has great fun playing. As does Ben Walsh as Collins, a character who stands to inherit the Bennet estate as Mr B’s nearest male relative. Collins makes Lizzie cringe, as he brings a whole new meaning to the phrase over the top.

And its hard to believe Jane Austen was only 20 or 21 when she wrote this masterpiece.

Carole Carr’s production is perfectly pitched at a theatre that has struck the perfect balance between new stuff and the classics. Highly recommended.

Until September.4. Tickets are available from 0161 928 1677 or www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk

Star rating - 4.

Photo by Martin Ogden.