L.A. Theatre Works Presents Pride and Prejudice

by Jane Austen, Kate Burton (Reader), Miriam Margolyes (Reader)

Jane Austen’s classic romantic comedy is the sparkling tale of the Bennets, a family blessed with five daughters and a mother desperate to marry them off. The tempestuous pairing of the witty, independent Elizabeth and her arrogant but honorable suitor Mr. Darcy sets the standard for all great couples of stage and screen. Adapted for the stage by Christina Calvit. A Lifeline Theatre co-production.

Recorded before a live audience at the DoubleTree Guest Suites, Chicago, in February of 1997.

Directed by Meryl Friedman
Producing Director: Susan Albert Loewenberg

Kate Burton as Elizabeth Bennet
Melanie Dix as Lydia Bennet/Charlotte Lucas
Elizabeth Laidlaw as Mary Bennet
Frances Limoncelli as Jane Bennet/Mrs. Hurst
Miriam Margolyes as Mrs. Bennet/Lady Catherine de Bourgh/Mr. Darcy's Housekeeper
Bradley Mott as Mr. Bennet/Sir William Lucas/Mr. Denny
James Sie as Mr. Bingley/Colonel Fitzwilliam
Joao de Sousa as Mr. Wickham
Sandy Snyder as Narrator/Kitty Bennet/Miss de Bourgh
Kevin Theis as Mr. Darcy
Steve Totland as Mr. Collins

Audio Cassette

Published January 1, 1997

About the author

Jane Austen was an English novelist known primarily for her six novels, which implicitly interpret, critique, and comment upon the English landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Austen's plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage for the pursuit of favourable social standing and economic security. Her works are an implicit critique of the novels of sensibility of the second half of the 18th century and are part of the transition to 19th-century literary realism. Her deft use of social commentary, realism and biting irony have earned her acclaim among critics and scholars.

The anonymously published Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), and Emma (1816), were a modest success but brought her little fame in her lifetime. She wrote two other novels—Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, both published posthumously in 1817—and began another, eventually titled Sanditon, but died before its completion. She also left behind three volumes of juvenile writings in manuscript, the short epistolary novel Lady Susan, and the unfinished novel The Watsons.
Since her death Austen's novels have rarely been out of print. A significant transition in her reputation occurred in 1833, when they were republished in Richard Bentley's Standard Novels series (illustrated by Ferdinand Pickering and sold as a set). They gradually gained wide acclaim and popular readership. In 1869, fifty-two years after her death, her nephew's publication of A Memoir of Jane Austen introduced a compelling version of her writing career and supposedly uneventful life to an eager audience. Her work has inspired a large number of critical essays and has been included in many literary anthologies. Her novels have also inspired many films, including 1940's Pride and Prejudice, 1995's Sense and Sensibility and 2016's Love & Friendship.

Reviews

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the book both in Portuguese and English, I have seen the movie of 2005 (my favorite) and the BBC series, but this was a new and very nice experience!
I heard this live recording of the LA Theatre Works play from 1997, and it is great. Very much as in the movies, but more in line with the book’s original text. The interpretations by the actors are great, and the music and expressions on point. Not all voices are in line with the idea I have of each character but it is very good, and is certainly a great way to give life to this marvelous story by Jane Austen.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I once started to listen to the unabridged version of this but I found it very boring. This one was only 2 hours but still a little boring.

[Jordan Kolby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't help but feel guilty for listening to this theatrical performance of P&P and watching the 2005 film (which I loved) before actually reading the novel. Maybe it is because I am slightly intimidated about starting the book.

I am not going to comment about the story (I'll save that for the book review). Overall, the performances are good here, Miriam Margolyes as Mrs Bennett especially! However, some are less convincing. This is an American production of a British classic, and the American accent occasionally bled into the dialogue which threw me off a little bit. I liked it, but there are probably better dramatisations of this novel which exist.

[Zuzana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a surprisingly solid full-cast dramatization of Pride and Prejudice by Christina Calvit. It’s only a bit over two hours long, but with the addition of a narrator, it manages to keep (mostly) all the essential plot points and, more importantly, the humor and whimsy of Jane Austen’s original.

Miriam Margolyes as Mrs. Bennet is the absolute highlight of this production.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent dramatized adaptation of a classic. I am so glad to be able to finish this audiobook before it leaves the audible plus catalog. The performance was excellent.