Plied and Prejudice comedy adaptation of classic Jane Austen novel announces Downstairs at The Maj Perth cast

Dearest gentle reader, fear not if Jane Austen’s beloved classic novel Pride and Prejudice has ever felt wanting for more liquor, laughs and costume changes. Woodward Productions’ comedy adaptation Plied and Prejudice is set to bring all the Regency-era charm, wit and a splash of debauchery to Downstairs at The Maj after sold-out seasons in Brisbane and London. The immersive experience features five actors playing 20 characters in the 90-minute show, with the Perth cast to include Jess Lally, Lucy Goodrick, Patrick Gandin, Ayesha Gibson and Rp van der Westhuizen. No stranger to such mirth in her performances with Bogan Shakespeare, Langford actor Lally said Plied and Prejudice looked at Austen’s text from a different and accessible angle. “Everybody can get something fun and comedic out of it,” Lally said, who plays Mrs Bennet and Lady Catherine de Bourgh among her many characters. “You don’t have to be literate or an Austen fan to get it. You don’t have to know the story, although let’s be fair, you probably already do.” Goodrick, who grew up in Claremont and now calls Melbourne home, said the challenge of switching between so many different character archetypes was a dream for any actor. “It has those beautiful moments between Darcy and Elizabeth that just warms your heart so much, but it also has room to poke fun and have a huge laugh,” Goodrick added. “It’s fun, it’s outrageous, it’s just like one big party for the audience.” That party comes complete with a nod to Colin Firth’s BBC portrayal of Mr Darcy in the form of a wet t-shirt contest, which Sydney-based actor Gandin admitted was a cooling relief given Plied and Prejudice’s staging challenges. “We’re only a cast of five and we have a scene where all five of us are on stage, and 10 characters need to be on stage at the same time,” Gandin said. “All I will say is that we rehearsed that yesterday, and I got exceptionally sweaty.” Plied and Prejudice is at Downstairs at The Maj, July 18 to August 17. Tickets at artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au.