What a romp they’re doing at Slightly AskewTheatre Ensemble. First Impressions is a take on Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. It’s close to madcap, switching back and forth from scenes from the book to actors breaking the fourth wall to speak directly to the audience about their own (and others’) experiences with the book. Sound stuffy? Fugeddaboutit.
It’s the story of the Bennets, father, mother and five daughters, who live in Hertfordshire in the early 1800’s. Marrying the girls off is the constant drive for Mrs. Bennet. It’s less of a concern to her eldest three than to the younger ones, who are, as my own mother would have said, “boy crazy”.
It is, of course, a truth universally acknowledged that Colin Firth, who played the handsome Mr. Darcy in one of the several film versions, has brought new generations into the Austen realm to appreciate her. Those who haven’t read it usually aren’t aware of just how funny it is in an arched-eyebrow sort of way with exaggeration and irony, but First Impressions takes full advantage.
All the Bennet daughters, Jane (Cara Barresi), Elizabeth (Ellie Schwetye), Mary (Parvuna Sulaiman), Kitty (Jazmine K. Wade) and Lydia (Katy Keating) are delights. Schwetye’s Elizabeth is as smart and willful as she needs to be, and, yes, proud – as well as having a brief round of prejudice. As Lydia, Keating flounces rather than simpers, an interesting choice for her eagerness to have a suitor. Their mother (Nicole Angeli) would be a flibbertigibbet if she were less focused, but is truly no airhead, just showing the distraction of so many daughters on her list of Things To Do. Angeli also plays the fearsome gargoyle Lady Catherine De Bourgh.
But this is not just a show with women as the focus. The long-suffering Mr. Bennet is Carl Overly, Jr., warm and patient and showing just the right flash of temperament when pushed. Mr. Darcy (John Wolbers) has undeniable chemistry with Elizabeth, or Lizzie, as she’s frequently referred to, and it’s great fun to watch the two together. Andrew Kuhlman’s Reverend Collins is simultaneously and wonderfully both pompous and oleaginous.
A very minimalist-looking set that still manages to evoke the Regency period from Bess Moynihan, and fascinating riffs on the costumes from the period, crossed with modern things like vivid nail polish and serious eye liner, courtesy of Elizabeth Henning. Rachel Tibbetts directed the piece, which was conceived by her and Schwetye. They have a great deal to be happy with here. First Impressions is enjoyable enough to overcome even the wretched sound that’s inevitable at The Chapel. No one has mastered those problems completely, but you get enough of this that it’s worth the effort, certainly
First Impressions
through May 27
Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble
The Chapel
6238 Alexander