Pride and Prejudice, a play founded on Jane Austen's novel
PERSONS OF THE PLAY
MR. DARCY – (of Pemberley, Derbyshire). "Possessed of a fine tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and … ten thousand a year … clever … haughty, reserved and fastidious; his manners, though well-bred, were not inviting. 'Some people call him proud,' said Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper at Pemberley, 'but I am sure I never saw anything of it… He is the best landlord and the best master that ever lived.'"
MR. BINGLEY – (of Netherfield, Hertfordshire, Darcy's Friend). "Just what a young man ought to be; sensible and good-humoured, lively … such happy manners! So much ease, with such perfect good breeding… Also handsome, which a young man ought likewise to be if he possibly can."
COLONEL FITZWILLIAM – (Cousin to Darcy). "About thirty, not handsome, but in person and address most truly the gentleman."
MR. BENNET – (of Longbourn). "An odd mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve and caprice. He was fond of the country and of books, and from these tastes had arisen his principal enjoyments."
MR. COLLINS – (a Cousin of Mr. Bennet, and Next in the Entail of Longbourn Estate.) "A tall, heavy-looking young man of five-and-twenty. His air was grave and stately, and his manners very formal. His veneration for his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourg, mingling with a very good opinion of himself and of his authority as a clergyman … made him altogether a mixture of pride and obsequiousness, self-importance and humility."
SIR WILLIAM LUCAS – (an Intimate Friend and Neighbour of the Bennets). "Formerly in trade in Meryton … he had risen to the honour of knighthood by an address to the King during his mayoralty. The distinction had … given him a disgust to his business, and, … quitting it, he had removed … to Lucas Lodge, where he could think with pleasure of his own importance, and … occupy himself solely in being civil to all the world."
COLONEL FORSTER – (the Colonel of the Regiment Stationed at Meryton).
MR. WICKHAM – (an Officer in the Regiment). "Endowed with all the best parts of beauty – a fine countenance, a good figure, and a very pleasing address. As false and deceitful as he is insinuating."
MR. DENNY – (Another Officer in the Regiment).
HARRIS – (the Butler at Longbourn).
MRS. BENNET – (the Wife of Mr. Bennet). "A woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news."
JANE – (Eldest Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet). "She united with great strength of feeling a composure of temper and a uniform cheerfulness of manner. Her mild and steady candour always pleaded allowances, and urged the possibility of mistakes."
ELIZABETH – (Their Second Daughter). "Although not so handsome as Jane, her face was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes. She had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous, with more quickness of observation and less pliancy of temper than her sister. There was a mixture of sweetness and archness in her manner which made it difficult for her to affront anybody."
LYDIA – (Their Youngest Daughter). "A stout, well-grown girl of fifteen, with a fine complexion and a good-humoured countenance – a favourite with her mother, whose affection had brought her into public at an early age."
LADY LUCAS – (the Wife of Sir William). "Not too clever to be a valuable neighbour to Mrs. Bennet."
CHARLOTTE LUCAS – (Daughter of Sir William and Lady Lucas). "A sensible, intelligent young woman, about twenty-seven, … Elizabeth's intimate friend."
MISS BINGLEY – (Sister of Mr. Bingley). "A very fine lady … but proud and conceited."
LADY CATHERINE DE BOURG – (Aunt of Darcy and Patroness of Mr. Collins). "A tall, large woman, with strongly marked features, which might once have been handsome. Her air was not conciliating… Whatever she said, was spoken in so authoritative a tone as marked her self-importance."
HILL – (the Housekeeper at Longbourn).
MARTHA – (the Maid at Mr. Collins's Parsonage).
"In the novels of the last hundred years there are vast numbers of young ladies with whom it might be a pleasure to fall in love, – but to live with and to marry, I do not know that any of them can come into competition with Elizabeth Bennet." – George Saintsbury. Preface to the Peacock Edition of "Pride and Prejudice."
ACT I
The drawing-room at Longbourn. At the back, wide glass doors open upon a terrace which overlooks an English landscape. It is winter, and coals are burning in the fireplace. On each side of the glass doors are rounded recesses with windows. On one side of the room a door opens into the library. On the other side is a door to the hall – the chief entrance of the house. The room is handsomely furnished in eighteenth century style. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are discovered sitting on either side of the table. Mrs. Bennet is knitting —Mr. Bennet reading.
[After a slight pause and laying down her knitting.]
My dear Mr. Bennet, did not you hear me? Did you know that Netherfield Park is let at last?
[Continues reading and does not answer.]
[Impatiently.] Do not you want to know who has taken it?
[Ceases reading and looks up at her with an amused smile.] You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.
[With animation.] Why, my dear, you must know Lady Lucas says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the North of England. His name is Bingley, and he is single, my dear. Think of that, Mr. Bennet! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand pounds a year. What a fine thing for our girls!
How so? How can it affect them?
My dear Mr. Bennet, how can you be so tiresome! You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them.
Is that his design in settling here?
Design! – Nonsense! How can you talk so? But it is very likely that he will fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him as soon as you can. Consider your daughters, Mr. Bennet! Only think what an establishment it would be for one of them! Sir William and Lady Lucas are determined to go merely on that account. Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for us to visit him if you do not.
[Who has risen during this last speech and now stands with his back to the fire, facing Mrs. Bennet.] You are overscrupulous, surely. I dare say Mr. Bingley will be very glad to see you, and I will send a few lines to assure him of my hearty consent to his marrying whichever he chooses of the girls – though I must throw in a good word for my little Lizzy.
[Sharply.] I desire you will do no such thing! Lizzy is not a bit better than the others. She is not half as handsome as Jane, nor as good-humoured as Lydia. But you are always giving her the preference.
Not unless she deserves it, my dear. But in this particular instance my poor little Lizzy is the only one who is unprovided for. Lydia and the others belong in the schoolroom, and you tell me that Mr. Collins has already spoken for Jane.
Oh, that odious Mr. Collins! I wish he had never come here. I wish I might never hear his name again!
Mr. Collins odious! You surprise me! I thought that he had won your full approval.
[Fretfully.] Oh, well,