Lucy Gray stars in the multi-award-winning Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) by Isobel McArthur after Jane Austen in its 2023 world tour, which opened at The Lowry, Salford on 19 January 2023.
The production’s writer and co-director, Isobel McArthur has just won another award, the Evening Standard Emerging Talent Award, having also won the Olivier Award for Entertainment and Comedy Show earlier in 2022.
Following playing Salford the production will visit Newcastle, Bath, Coventry, Richmond, Chichester, Cheltenham, Inverness, Cardiff, Nottingham, Eastbourne, Chester, Birmingham, Leeds, Blackpool, Bristol, Truro, Malvern, Exeter and Norwich where tickets are now on sale.
You’re starring in the UK tour of Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) what can you tell us about the show?
Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) is a reimagining of Jane Austen’s classic novel. Through the eyes of five servants, the classic story is told with a few karaoke songs, plenty of gags and a few balls here and there. It’s a really modern take on the story, and a totally glorious evening – we’ll have you laughing from beginning to end!
How did you first become involved with the show?
I’ve had quite the journey through this show. I started in December 2021 as an understudy in the West End, and it was my first job out of drama school. But in January I had the pleasure of taking over the part of Tillie – it’s all been a dream to be honest!
It’s had such a great reception, most recently in the West End, why do you think audiences love the show so much?
I think this show is utter joy, and actually that’s what people need right now. When folk come along to see us they get totally wrapped up in all the regency chaos, but without having to sit through a stuffy period drama. There’s no long pauses, no hard to understand language – just Austen’s brilliant story being retold by a cast of five brilliantly talented people. Plus the songs are brilliant, and always get folk up on their feet!
You play many roles within the show, what do you enjoy about that and what do you find most challenging?
It’s an actor’s dream to have a career full of versatility, so to have all that range in one show is pretty extraordinary. I love that I never get bored of any one character and the challenge of having to inhabit a totally different person within the seconds I have to do a quick change.
However, it does get a bit tougher if you have a momentary lapse in concentration and the entirety of your characterisation is suddenly lost – but generally you have the wonderful cast around you to help work it out again.
How does it feel taking the show to audiences across the UK?
To take this show around the UK is an utter privilege. Every city, every audience love this show for the universality of the story we’re telling. It’s the original rom-com, hence why the popularity of Austen’s book has endured for 200+ years. And, personally, to get to travel around the country and see so much of the UK is a total dream – best of all in a show that I’m really proud to be in.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)?
Whether you’re a true Austenite or empire line dresses and ringlets is your idea of hell, I can promise you a totally joyful night – forget everything you know about period drama and come along to be totally entertained!
