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| The Darcys, Fitzwilliam (David Everett Moore) and Elizabeth (Melissa Ortiz), are the holiday hosts at Pemberley. |
“The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley” takes places
downstairs in the servants’ work area rather than the opulent main floor in
late December 1815.
Presented by Marin Theatre Company, this world
premiere play by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon can be seen as a second
sequel to Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.”
Also presented by MTC, their first sequel, “Miss
Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley” in 2016, took place upstairs at the same time but with
a different focus.
The current play focuses on two relationships, one slowly
blossoming, the other quickly failing.
The blossoming relationship is between two servants,
Brian (August Browning), the footman; and Cassie (Neiry Rojo), the newly hired
housemaid. He’s an inventor who makes a reading stand for her, while she’s an
independent sort who wants to make her own way in the world.
On the other hand, the marriage between Lydia
Wickham (Madeline Rouverol) and George Wickham (Kenny Toll) is in trouble.
Lydia tries to put on a happy front, but George is
despised by her family, the Bennets.
They include her sister, Elizabeth Darcy
(Melissa Ortiz), and Elizabeth’s husband, the wealthy Fitzwilliam Darcy (David
Everett Moore), owner of Pemberley.
In fact, George wasn’t invited to the holiday
celebration, but one night he drunkenly arrives downstairs after suffering a
beating in the local pub.
The turning point comes with an incriminating letter
Cassie finds in George’s jacket before she washed it. The letter proves that
George is a scoundrel and that he married Lydia only for her money.
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| Mrs. Reynolds (Jennie Brick) patches up George Wickham (Kenny Toll). |
With all the goings-on downstairs as the Darcys and Lydia
come there for refuge, the longtime housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds (Jennie Brick),
is the glue that holds everything together. She also makes delicious biscuits
(cookies).
Directed by Megan Sandberg-Zakian, the entire cast
is first-rate with everyone believable in reflecting how upper- and
middle-class people spoke and acted at that time. There are many amusing
moments, too.
The functional set is by Wilson Chin with lighting
by Wen-Ling Liao and sound by Sharath Patel. The costumes, notably the elegant
Regency Period dresses for Lydia and Elizabeth, are by Courtney Flores.
Performances were to have begun Nov. 15 but were
delayed until after Thanksgiving because smoke from the Butte County fire
permeated the theater, causing a health threat. To make up for those lost
performances, the show has been extended seven days through Dec. 16. It’s great
entertainment.
“The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley” runs about
two hours and 10 minutes with one intermission at Marin Theatre Company, 397
Miller Ave., Mill Valley.
For tickets and information, call (415) 388-5208 or
visit www.marintheatre.org.
(Photos by Kevin Berne)
(Photos by Kevin Berne)
