Jane Austen, Mrs. Steele MacKaye
Pride and Prejudice, a play founded on Jane Austen's novel
Published by Good Press, 2019
EAN 4057664106681
Table of Contents
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).
| ACT I | |
| The Drawing-Room at Longbourn | |
| ACT II | |
| The Orangery at Netherfield | |
| One Month Later | |
| ACT III | |
| Mr. Collins's Parsonage at Hunsford | |
| Three Months Later | |
| ACT IV | |
| The Shrubbery at Longbourn | |
| One Week Later | |
| Place: England | Time: 1796 |
"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."