Diverse production of “Pride and Prejudice” comes to campus

Classical literature has historically reinforced harmful gender norms. This Thursday, the Aquila Theatre will perform Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” at 7:30 in SJU’s Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, breathing a new perspective into the treasured novel.

Published in 1813, “Pride and Prejudice” examines the importance of marriage and social standing during a time period that viewed status as the pinnacle of success. Though the novel details the trials and tribulations of various characters, it most closely examines that of Elizabeth Bennett in her quest for a husband.

Aquila is no stranger to performing historical pieces of literature, with prior shows including “Othello,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” “Cyrano de Bergerac” and “The Man Who Would Be King.” What makes the company different from the rest, however, is its innovative perspective on promoting inclusivity within the theater scene.

In “Pride and Prejudice,” a diverse cast of six individuals play a total of 15 different roles. Austen’s story remains timeless, something Aquila aimed to preserve in their performance. Most of Austen’s original phrasing remains the same, honoring its significance in classical literature. Through shifting perspectives and manipulating common perceptions, Aquila presents the play in a new way. Roles commonly played by women are played by men and vice versa, encouraging a more gender-fluid reading of the play.

Moreover, the company is deconstructing racial stereotypes by having people of color portray historically white characters. Though “Pride and Prejudice” is widely considered one of Austen’s masterpieces, it fails to represent women and people of color in uplifting and powerful positions. CSB junior Kiara Frederick, a frequent performer in campus productions, reflects on the increasing importance of diversity in theater.

“I think diversity and crushing gender norms in theater and any form of art is necessary because every human deserves to be represented in art. We all want to be able to walk through an art museum and see a painting that resembles us or go to the theater and see actors and characters that capture our image, too,” Frederick said.

Reimaging a production of such magnitude was a collaborative effort. Not only did the actors need to adapt, but the director, stage manager and production team needed to demonstrate flexibility to create an inclusive, and yet, realistic adaptation of Austen’s classic novel.

“Playing one role is hard enough, as you have multiple lines to memorize. You have to establish how they walk, talk and interact with fellow characters,” Frederick said. “It is impressive how they are able to get into the mindset of each character almost simultaneously, without getting confused about which character is which.”

Across campus, students are anticipating Aquila’s production, which will take place Friday, Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m in SJU’s Stephen B. Humphrey Theater.

“I read ‘Pride and Prejudice’ in 2018 and loved the subtlety that Austen used to craft her characters,” CSB junior Erin Martin said via email. “I am intrigued to see how this version of the play enhances the focus on the characters due to the unique production style. The story itself is so enchanting.”