Pride & Prejudice: A Period Gem

For the past two weeks, ACMA’s brilliant theatre company has been showing off its skills by performing Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, adapted for the stage by our own David Sikking.

For those unfamiliar with the story of Pride and Prejudice, it was originally a novel written by Jane Austen in 1813. It is a classic romance that follows the journey of the Bennets, a family desperate to secure a home by marrying off their five, young daughters: Elizabeth, Jane, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. Throughout the story, the quick-witted and rebellious main character, Elizabeth Bennet, has several run-ins with a reserved, standoffish young man by the name of Mr. Darcy. Their personalities seem to clash as they dance between love and hate, while another romance blossoms between Jane Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s closest friend, Mr. Bingley. It’s a lovely story of misunderstandings, marriage, love, and pride.

The leads, Morgan Fay as Mr. Darcy, and Ally Merkel as Elizabeth Bennet, were beyond impressive. Fay embodied Mr. Darcy to the letter, managing to encompass and portray the seemingly stoic and commonly unreadable character so naturally, making it almost impossible not to empathize with Mr. Darcy’s struggles. As a character, Mr. Darcy has always been reserved in his actions, but Fay communicated his motivation in such a way that the audience could understand. It was great to watch such a young actor rise so readily to the challenge. Merkel was wonderful to watch as well. Elizabeth has always been such a likeable and easily relatable character; it

felt like seeing an old friend wander back into your life after some time apart. Elizabeth Bennet sprang to life under Merkel’s care and commitment, winning the audience over with her fun and sarcastic portrayal of the dearly beloved protagonist.

However, the adorable pair that was Jane Bennet (Genevive Adams) and Mr. Bingely (Tristan Jackson), was perhaps the sweetest thing to grace the stage. Their kind smiles and flustered conversations seemed so naturally embarrassed and lovestruck that the audience fell in love with their love immediately. Every actor and actress in the production displayed once again why high schoolers are more than capable of playing high schoolers on the stage, in television and film.

The ACMA theatre company has always impressed and will continue to do so, without a doubt. If any reader has missed this or past productions, it would be worth their while to make sure they see the next one...and the one after that! Entire pages could be written explaining why everyone should see ACMA’s displays of talent, but that would be excessive, so this article will close with one simple note of praise: well done, ACMA!

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