A fresh holiday tale from the Firehouse Theater Company combines Christmas merriment and romantic mayhem
Written in 2016 by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley captures the colorful life of the Bennet sisters two years after the conclusion of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
The Firehouse Theater Company production of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley is a sweet concoction of romanticism, sibling rivalry and Christmas cheer. Focusing primarily on the middle sister Mary, the only sister heading quickly toward spinsterhood, this Christmas turns out to be different. Mary’s sister Lizzy and husband Fitzwilliam Darcy are hosting Christmas at their Pemberley estate for the Bennet sisters this year after a two-year break. A last-minute addition to the guest list provides immediate intrigue to the plot and romantic potential for Mary. The mystery guest turns out to be equally as smitten with Mary as she is with him, and he eagerly pursues her through various channels much to delight of all in attendance at Pemberley. Of course, no romantic journey would be complete without obstacles put in the way in the pursuit of true love, making for heightened hilarity.
Director Linda Suttle has assembled a talented cast, both new and familiar to Firehouse Theater Company audiences. Each actor establishes a solid character and pinpoints exacting traits for well-rounded performances. The gift that this production delivers is the true ensemble nature of the performances. All are keyed into establishing a period style and comedic timing. As aligned as the actors were, there were several moments that fell short of the laugh quotient. The script provides for an overabundance of heightened dialogue that occasionally needed extra punctuation. However, this did not distract from the overall quality of the production and its genuine appeal.
Although no scenic designer is listed in the program, a special mention is in order for the use and design of the space in the John Hand Theatre. The setting evokes a time several centuries ago using detailed scenery and exquisite furnishings. Set construction by Jeff Jesmer and painter Megan Davis certainly paid off in creating a truly long-ago essence of time. Also deserving recognition for contributing to the overall physical success of the production is costume designer Rachel Finley. The characters were expertly appointed in period attire that provided additional attention to detail evoking another place and time. Sound designer Rick Reid lulled us into the performance with a beautiful montage of Christmas music and other instrumental pieces for 30 minutes prior to the start of the play.
Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley is a special gift to the theatre-going public this year. Although there are many possibilities out there for Christmas entertainment, executive producer Helen Hand has chosen a play that isn’t filled with over stimulation or extreme traditionalism. It is something new and fresh and very much filled with sentimentality, both for the holiday and love.
The production runs through December 19 at the John Hand Theater located on the campus of Colorado Free University.
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