Queensland Theatre's Pride and Prejudice: A Delightfully Absurd Romp Through Regency-Era Ridiculousness

If you were expecting a refined, introspective take on Jane Austen’s beloved novel, let me stop you right there. Queensland Theatre’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is an unapologetically frothy, glittering concoction of silly. This production isn’t here to provide deep philosophical musings or change the world— no, it’s here to make you laugh and cash in on the ‘Bridgerton’ hype. I’m not kidding, they borrowed directly from the show’s soundtrack. 

If this production were a dessert, it would be an absurdly over-the-top cake that no one *needs*— but if you’ve got the money and the time, why not? Who needs a five-tiered cake with gold leaf, glitter, and enough frosting to drown a small village? No one. But if you have the resources, go ahead and bake it. That’s exactly the vibe here—gleefully excessive fun, where no one’s asking *why* you’re doing it.

The acting? Impeccable. Every performer, from leads to the ensemble, delivers their character with a knowing wink. Just 10/10. Also, props for the all-Queensland cast—duly noted. 

If I had one suggestion, though the cast fully embraced the absurdity of the universe created, the overall design—set, costume, and movement—could have pushed even further. 

The choreography, in particular, stood out—not always for the right reasons. The ballroom sequences exposed that not all the actors were natural dancers, and rather than masking it, the movement often felt a little stiff and uncertain. But imagine if the show had fully embraced the chaos—a deliberately sillier, camper approach to the dancing could have turned these moments into comedic gold, matching the heightened tone of the performances and making the stumbles feel intentional rather than awkward. 

A more exaggerated, over-the-top aesthetic across the board—bolder set choices, gaudier costumes, and choreography that leaned into the ridiculous—would have elevated the production’s already playful spirit. As it stood, Pride and Prejudice was still thoroughly entertaining, but with a little more glitter, it could have been truly spectacular. More is always more, right? 

Queensland Theatre’s Pride and Prejudice was stupid, silly and kept the audience engaged for the entire 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Should the leaders of Queensland Theatre be spending their money on something purely ornamental? Was this just a cash grab? Will Lewis Treston be trapped writing adaptions forever? Who’s to say? And honestly, maybe that’s the point.