author: Erin Tarpley
“Love is about knowing the other person and allowing them to be the person they are”
With the holiday season upon us, tis the season to be merry, jolly, and joyous. And after a wonderful evening at The Strand watching their rendition of The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley, these are three adjectives that I found made even my Grinchy heart grow three sizes that very night!
Set in the literary universe of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley is a chance for Austen fans to glimpse into the lives of Elizabeth Darcy, née Bennet, (played by Betse Lyons) and her Mr. Darcy (played by Dominic Gladden), a few years after they set aside their (ahem) pride and prejudice and say their “I do’s.” Set in the servants’ level of Mr. Darcy’s Pemberley English estate in the early nineteenth century, the story largely follows the happenings of the estate’s staff as they prepare and attend to Elizabeth’s family visiting for the Christmas holiday; both those who were invited and not. For you see, there is a scandal afoot when Elizabeth’s sister’s unwanted husband, George Wickham (played by Omololu Collins) suddenly shows up unannounced.
Showing up unannounced in nineteenth century English society?! The nerve! And drunk? Atrocious!! And bringing evidence of further scandal?!?! My word!!!
Nevertheless, the Pemberley staff work together to overcome the unfolding scandal, and through comedy, wit, and charm help to ensure that this is the happiest Christmas that ever was for all those at Pemberley Estate.
Written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, this continuation to Austen’s story does a fabulous job of not only serving as a sequel to the infamous novel, but also serves as a story that non-Austen readers will enjoy. Directed by Jalice Ortiz-Corral, this play is outstanding in its ability to capture the essence of Austen’s wit and social commentary on class and social expectations; especially amongst genders. While Gunderson and Melcon’s dialogue is sharp and witty, filled with clever observations and humorous banter, Ortiz-Corral does well to create a crisp atmosphere to really emphasize the individual wit of each character, as well as the weight each carries in relation to their heavy societal expectations ever present in their consciousness.
While the literary characters of Elizabeth Darcy, née Bennet, (Lyons) and her Mr. Darcy (Gladden), need little introduction, the actors playing their characters nevertheless breathe fresh air into this young couple. With brilliant chemistry befitting a young married couple of a prim English estate, Lyons and Gladden glide through the drama, and mirth, of their hosted holiday event with aplomb and grace befitting their station, while also nailing every punchline and never failing to sneak in a snog or two.
Visiting for the holiday as an invited guest is Elizabeth’s younger sister, Lydia Wickham,née Bennet, (played by Rowan Gardner) and her purposely-not-invited-so-don’t-bother-showing-up-thank-you-very-much husband, the salacious and smarmy ne’er-do-well British officer, George Wickham (Collins). Mastering both flighty and naivé, Gardner flits about the stage with an air of youth and innocent-arrogance that both elicits a modicum of sympathy to her unknown plight, as well as unabashed laughter at the terribly-British chaos that she causes in her wake every time she leaves the stage. Meanwhile, her walking-red-flag of a husband (who literally is dressed all in British-officer red!), played by Collins, manages to simultaneously charm and vex all those that cross his path with his debonair ease and underlying calculative motives. Together, these two mesh beautifully in their juxtaposed mindsets of naiveté and manipulation that physically bring about the visual metaphor of rotating magnets: one wants to connect, but ultimately the two repulse off of each other.
But while the Darcys and Wickhams may be the more well-known characters outside of this play, the real heart and glue that holds everything together in this production lie in those that reside in the basement level under the estate. Our inquisitive and bright-eyed footman, Brian (played by Eric Panuela), does well to wear the many hats of a young man. Sometimes aloof, sometimes jealous, often too curious, and too often too confident in ignorant-masculine-arrogance, Panuela charms and grows in his character as he falters and learns while exploring the budding romantic possibilities with his childhood friend.
This “friend” who has come to Pemberley Estate as the temporary hired-help for the holiday festivities is the scrappy and eager-to-please Cassie (played by Neva Keuroglian Sullivan). Sullivan knows very well the plight of her character and shows it brilliantly in every breath and motion. An orphan with no status, connections, or even a bed to call her own, she knows all too well the extra burdens and scrutiny that are placed on women’s shoulders, and how they are amplified in her lesser societal sphere. Ambitious in her own right to gain a sense of security, Sullivan never falters in walking the fine-line of submissive and self-advocating-awareness that her character is quickly viewed more harshly (and potentially more expendable) should the slightest aspect of the holiday festivities go awry.
Finally, the stoic and dependable Pemberly Housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds (played by Jessica Adcock), serves as the keystone and solid foundation to the whirl-storm that surrounds our posh English estate. While Adcock maintains an air of steadfastness and order as the seasoned and matronly Mrs. Reynolds, Adcock never wavers in effortlessly landing a punch-line or letting her stoic facade crack just enough to show the concern or pain she experiences at certain heightened moments of the days as they unfold.
While this play is unabashedly set during the Christmas season, this play serves as a happy compromise to theatre-goers that either relish the Christmas-spirit or those that tire of the more “traditional” Christmas themes by focusing more on the events of the holiday and the drama that unfolds. Similarly, it also does an outstanding job of playing to the favor of those familiar with its source material, as well as those that have never once read Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. A careful balance is masterfully executed on stage that allows those familiar with the infamous literary characters to once again wrap themselves in the world Austen beautifully created, while also being clear and forward enough about each character and their place in the story that unfolds on stage so that even the most Austen-ignorant viewer can follow and appreciate the story that comes to life before their eyes.
December is a month that never fails to fly by. As we go about this Christmas season and all the holiday festivities and errands that go with it, do yourself a favor and be sure to set aside an evening to catch The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley before it passes you by! Playing now through December 22nd, you certainly would not want your own pride or prejudice to hamper your chance to experience the delight and charm of this fabulous production.
Running Time: 2 hours with one intermission
The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberly plays through December 22nd 2024 at The Strand Theater— 5426 Harford Rd. Baltimore MD 21214. For tickets call the box office at (443) 874-4917 or purchase them online.
