Vintage Theater hosts premiere of ‘Pride and Prejudice’

Abington Journal // Arts & Entertainment

November 4

By Don McGlynn dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com
Reporter/Photographer

SCRANTON—The opening of a new caf� isn’t the only exciting thing brewing at the Vintage Theater in downtown Scranton this weekend. The theater will also be hosting the world premiere adaptation of the Jane Austin novel “Pride and Prejudice” this Friday, Nov. 6.

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Christina Mattatics will be appearing in the Vintage Theater production of ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ the first two weekends of November.

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Adapted for the stage by Joanna Norland, “Pride and Prejudice” is the story of five sisters—Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty and Lydia Bennet—whose lives are turned upside down when a wealthy young man, Mr. Bingley, and his best friend, Mr. Darcy, move into their neighborhood.

Since it was first published in 1813, “Pride and Prejudice” has been adapted several times for the stage and screen, but this will be the first time Norland’s adaptation will be staged anywhere. It will be the first theater production the Vintage will host since moving to its new space at 119 Penn Ave.

“We never got to do much live theater at the old space and I really wanted to make that a main staple at least once a season,” said Vintage Theater co-founder Conor O’Brien.

The Vintage has decided to perform the play, directed by Heather Stuart and Barbara O’Brien, as a stage reading, with all of the actors performing the piece with books in hand.

While O’Brien understands that this description could lead some to draw certain conclusions, he assures that the cast will not simply be reading from a script during the performance.

“We’re not just sitting on chairs with books like in English class, there is movement, there is real acting,” said Conor. “We chose to do it this way because we really wanted to focus on the words of Jane Austen. Her wit and her word is what made her legendary.”

“There are no sets, no lavish costumes. There are costume pieces (each character is represented by a single costume piece). It really lets you get the feel for the time period. You’ll understand it, but you won’t get caught up in that, that you forget what’s really important, which is the acting and even more importantly is the words that they’re saying.”

The story is so well- known, and loved, that, as a result, O’Brien said there has been a lot of early excitement about the play from theatergoers looking forward to attending and local actors eager to take part.

The play has a cast of nine, including O’Brien, who plays more than 15 different roles. Many cast members play multiple roles. The cast ranges in age and experience from professional actors, to some for whom this is a first show.

“It’s a nice mix of amateurs and professionals,” said O’Brien.

“(The amateurs) are not only gaining ability, but really getting thrown in the fire as it were, and it’s really an opportunity for the professionals to really work on their acting and not have to worry about the huge lavish productions or long dress rehearsals. So it’s been a nice combination.”

“Pride and Prejudice” will run the first two weekends of November at the Vintage Theater in Scranton.