In a sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the Bennet family gathers for Christmas at Pemberley. An unexpected guest sparks Mary Bennet’s hopes for independence, an intellectual match, and possibly even love.
Chemainus Theatre Festival audiences are cordially invited to Pemberly to spend the holidays with Mr. and Mrs. Darcy (Brett Harris & Alexandra Brynn). Familiar faces will join visitors to Pemberly: Mr. and Mrs. Bingley (Kaden Forsberg & Kate Dion-Richard), Lydia Wickham (Tiana Jung), and Mary Bennet (Rebbekah Ogden). They will also meet two new characters, Mr. Darcy’s cousin Arthur De Bourgh (Connor Lucas), a scholar who has arrived from Oxford, and Miss Anne De Bourgh (Danielle Klaudt). Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley continues the story set two years after the 1813 novel ends, focusing on middle-sister Mary.
Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley centers around family dynamics, societal expectations, and personal growth and combines romance, humour, and family drama that one can only find during the holidays. From a Vancouver Arts Review of a past production of this play, “For everyone else, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley” is like a mug of spicy mulled wine; comforting, warming, and sweet.”
Written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, “they craft their dialogue faithfully in Austen’s style, but still manage to land lots of laughs for modern audiences — many of them coming from the excruciating but endearing awkwardness of central characters Mary and Arthur”, according to a CBC review from a previous production. Longtime Chemainus Theatre Festival theatregoers may be interested in knowing Lauren Gunderson, one of the most produced playwrights in America, who was also the playwright for Silent Sky, a well-loved Chemainus production in 2017.
Cowichan-based director Jessica Schacht brings a lifetime of experience and passion for theatre to this production of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley. Stage Manager Ronaye Haynes and Apprentice Stage Manager Gina Moe. Chemainus audiences will enjoy stepping into Jane Austen’s Regency Era, which has recently been made popular by the Netflix Bridgerton series. This would not have been possible without the talented Set Designer Karyn McCallum, Costume Designer Crystal Hanson, Lighting Designer Imogen Wilson, and Sound Designer Kraig Waye, all working harmoniously to create a piece of history on our stage.
