Review: BEING MR WICKHAM at Jermyn Street Theatre

Photo credit: James Findlay

Date: 10th June 2024 

Seat: E5

Tickets: Gifted

Rating: 4 Stars

Adrian Lukis' Being Mr Wickham is a lot of fun, inviting the audience to find out more about one of Jane Austen’s most interesting characters – George Wickham from Pride and Prejudice. Co-written by Lukis and Catherine Curzon, this one-man show is a delightful, insightful exploration of the dashing cad Mr Wickham, giving him a platform to wax lyrical about his past misdeeds, lost loves, and the lessons learned along the way.

 

What’s great about this play is that it cleverly balances humour and pathos, as Wickham, ever the charming rogue, regales the audience with tales of his youthful exploits and their often calamitous consequences – and some rather shocking and upsetting ones. Through witty wordplay and poignant soliloquies, Lukis breathes new life into the character, making him both relatable and reprehensible.

 

The set design by Libby Watson is at once both simple and deceptively creative, and something I particularly enjoyed was the mirror that transforms into a display cabinet to show a very important souvenir from Wickham’s past. Is that a symbolic reflection of Wickham's dual nature—his outward charm and the inner truths he unveils? Whatever it’s meant to mean, it was a lovely surprise.


Photo credit: James Findlay

 

Lukis' portrayal of Wickham is a joy. Having played the character in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, Lukis brings a deep understanding and authenticity to the role – he just ‘gets’ Wickham, which means, by the end of his hour-long monologue, we get him too, whether we like it or not. Lukis’ performance captures Wickham's roguish charm and underlying vulnerability, inviting the audience to see beyond the villainous veneer to the man within. The monologues are delivered with impeccable timing, and Lukis' ability to shift between humour and hopelessness keeps the audience engaged throughout.

 

The collaboration between Lukis and Curzon shines in the script, which is peppered with historical references and clever nods to Austen's original work. The dialogue is sharp and sparkling, capturing the essence of Wickham's character while offering fresh insights into his motivations.

 

Being Mr Wickham is a thoroughly enjoyable theatrical experience that gives a voice to one of literature's most notorious characters. It's a must-see for Austen aficionados and newcomers alike, earning a well-deserved four stars for its wit, wisdom, and wickedly good storytelling.


Being Mr Wickham plays at Jermyn Street Theatre until 22nd June: https://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/show/being-mr-wickham/ 





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