JANE AUSTEN'S PRIDE & PREJUDICE
by
Paula K. Parker
Published by WordCrafts Theatrical Press at Smashwords
Copyright © 2011 Paula K. Parker
Cover art - Lady in a Garden by Edmund Blair Leighton - Public Domain
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Playwright's Notes
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
Thus opens Pride and Prejudice, Miss Austen’s second – and arguably most popular – novel; pitting the lovely but opinionated Lizzy Bennet against the handsome, wealthy, yet brooding and taciturn Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy in a fencing match where reputations, family fortunes, and hearts are at stake.
A 2003 BBC poll placed Pride and Prejudice in the #2 spot in their list of the “UK’s Best Loved Books,” right behind Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings.” A 2008 Australian survey pegged Pride and Prejudice on top of the “101 Best Books Ever Written.” The novel is no less popular in the US, having spawned numerous film and stage adaptations including the 1940 version, starring Sir Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson, and the 2005 version with Matthew Macfadyen and Keira Knightley in her Oscar-nominated roll as Lizzy. The 1995 BBC mini-series with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, popularized on PBS stations, is credited with spawning a renewed interest in Jane Austen among American teens. Amazingly, Jane Austen sold the copyright to Pride and Prejudice for the sum total of 110 Pounds Sterling, and never earned a penny in royalties.
I love history and literature and adapted this novel with an eye for authenticity and a determination to maintain the integrity of the original work. There is a tendency for some contemporary playwrights to inject their own values or agendas into the script when they adapt a popular novel for the stage or screen. But Jane Austen’s work stands on its own. Lizzy, Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Bennet, and Mr. Wickham are delightful characters as Jane Austen created them, without trying to infect them with 21st Century proclivities.
While I have intentionally declined to include set designs for this play, thus allowing theaters to accommodate the sets for their stage, I would note that Pride and Prejudice is a character-driven story and as such works well with a minimalist set of a few chairs and table. The original source material places the action in a variety of locations, and to maintain the integrity of the story I have set a number of scenes in those locations. Since more than half of the scenes take place in the Bennet parlor, theaters that have the space may wish to use a portion of the stage for a static scene of this location, and use a separate part of the stage for all other scenes. Grips dressed in period costume may be add to the atmosphere during scene changes. These are, of course, only suggestions. I have intentionally kept stage directions to a minimum, preferring instead to allow the director freedom to direct the play.
- Paula K. Parker, playwright
Characters
(In Order of Appearance)
Mr. Bennet: an older gentleman
Jane Bennet: the eldest daughter
Elizabeth Bennet: the second daughter
Mary Bennet: the third daughter
Kitty Bennet: the fourth daughter
Lydia Bennet: the fifth daughter
Mrs. Bennet: wife and mother
Sir William Lucas: local squire
Lady Lucas: his wife
Maria Lucas: youngest daughter
Charlotte Lucas: eldest daughter
Mr. Bingley: a wealthy young man
Mrs. Hurst: his married sister
Mr. Hurst: her husband
Miss Bingley: his unmarried sister
Mr. Darcy: his wealthy friend
Hill: the Bennet’s maid
Footman: at Netherfield
Mr. Collins: relative to the Bennets, a clergyman
Mr. Denny: young soldier
Mr. Wickham: young soldier
Lady Catherine De Bourgh: patron of Mr. Collins; Mr. Darcy’s aunt
Colonel Fitzwilliam: Mr. Darcy’s relative
Mr. Gardiner: Mrs. Bennet’s brother
Mrs. Gardiner: his wife
Mrs. Reynolds: housekeeper at Pemberley
Maid: at the inn
Georgiana Darcy: Mr. Darcy’s sister
SCENES
Scene 4 - A parlor at Netherfield
Scene 6 - Netherfield ballroom
Scene 10 - A parlor in Rosings
Scene 11 - The Collins’ parlor
Scene 12 - Two desks and chairs
Scene 2 - A parlor at Pemberley
Scene 3 - A parlor at Pemberley
Scene 4 - The parlor at the inn
Jane Austen’s
Pride & Prejudice
SETTING: The Bennet’s parlor.
AT RISE: MR. BENNET is sitting in his chair, reading a paper and the Bennet girls are seated around the room, doing needlework, reading, or decorating a hat. MRS. BENNET bursts through the door, excited.
MRS. BENNET
My dear Mr. Bennet! Have you heard? Netherfield Park is let at last!
(Excited comments among the girls. MR. BENNET continues to read his paper.)
MR. BENNET
I have not heard.
MRS. BENNET
But it is, for Lady Lucas has told me all about it.
(MR. BENNET makes no answer.)
MRS. BENNET
Do not you want to know who has taken it?
MR. BENNET
(Lowers his paper.)
You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.
MRS. BENNET
Why, my dear, you must know, Lady Lucas says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune. He came down on Monday to see the place, and was so much delighted with it, that he agreed to take possession before Michaelmas.
KITTY
What is his name?
MRS. BENNET
Bingley.
LYDIA
Is he married or single?
MRS. BENNET
Oh! Single to be sure! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year.
(To MR. BENNET.)
What a fine thing for our girls!
MR. BENNET
How so? How can it affect them?
MRS. BENNET
My dear Mr. Bennet, how can you be so tiresome? You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them.
ELIZABETH
(To JANE.)
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
MRS. BENNET
(Overhearing)
Yes, indeed.
MR. BENNET
Is that his design in settling here?
MRS. BENNET
Design! Nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is very likely that he may fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him.
MR. BENNET
(Goes back to his paper)
I see no occasion for that. You and the girls may go, or you may send them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better; for, as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley might like you the best.
MRS. BENNET
But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Bingley when he comes into the neighborhood; for it will be impossible for us to visit him, if you do not.
MR. BENNET
You are over-scrupulous, surely. I dare say Mr. Bingley will be very glad to see you; and I will send a few lines by you to assure him of my hearty consent to his marrying which ever he chooses of the girls. They are all silly and ignorant like other girls, although Lizzy has more quickness of mind than her sisters.
MRS. BENNET
(Sits, much put out.)
Mr. Bennet, you take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion on my poor nerves.
MR. BENNET
You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They have been my old friends these twenty years.
MRS. BENNET
You do not know what I suffer.
MR. BENNET
But I hope you will get over it, and live to see many young men of four thousand a year come into the neighborhood.
MRS. BENNET
It will be no use to us if twenty such should come, since you will not visit them.
MR. BENNET
Depend upon it, my dear, that when there are twenty, I will visit them all.
LYDIA
(Holding up the hat she’s working on.)
Kitty, do you not think this is a dreadful hat?
KITTY
I’m sure Mr. Bingley will like it.
(She begins coughing.)
MRS. BENNET
(Very perturbed.)
We are not in a way to know what Mr. Bingley likes, since we are not to visit.
ELIZABETH
But you forget, Mama, that we shall meet him at the assemblies.
MRS. BENNET
Assemblies! That is something more; Lady Lucas said that Mr. Bingley means to be at the next assembly, with a large party.
LYDIA
How many is in the party, Mama?
MRS. BENNET
Lady Lucas said twelve ladies and seven gentlemen.
ELIZABETH
Too many ladies, not enough men.
LYDIA
Makes for uneven dancing partners.
JANE
When is the next ball to be, Lizzy?
ELIZABETH
Tomorrow fortnight.
MRS. BENNET
Don’t keep coughing so, Kitty, for heaven’s sake! Have a little compassion for my nerves!
KITTY
I do not cough for my own amusement.
MARY
I do hope that Mr. Bingley is a sensible man and not always thinking of his own amusement.
MRS. BENNET
I am sick of Mr. Bingley.
MR. BENNET
I am sorry to hear that. If I had known as much this morning, I certainly would not have called on him. As I have actually paid the visit, we cannot escape the acquaintance now.
(General excitement among the Bennet ladies.)
MRS. BENNET
What an excellent father you have girls! And it is such a good joke, too, Mr. Bennet, that you should have gone this morning, and never said a word about it till now.
MR. BENNET
(Folds his paper, stands up, and tucks paper under his arm.)
Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you choose.
(MR. BENNET exits while the women are still fluttering.)
BLACKOUT
ACT I
SETTING: The Assembly Hall.
AT RISE: Ladies and Gentlemen are mingling and talking while the musicians warm up [offstage]. The Lucases are already present, when the Bennet ladies arrive. LYDIA and KITTY meet MARIA and move off to whisper in the corner, MARY follows MRS. BENNET, who finds a place near LADY LUCAS to sit, while JANE and ELIZABETH meet CHARLOTTE.
CHARLOTTE
Jane, Elizabeth. At last you are come.
ELIZABETH
Hello Charlotte, Yes, we are late. Lydia could not decide how to wear her hair.
JANE
I do hope we have not inconvenienced anyone?
CHARLOTTE
No, indeed you have not. My mother has been most anxious to speak to your mother, since she has learned more about the party at Netherfield.
ELIZABETH
Indeed? Has the number of ladies grown whilst the men reduced?
JANE
That would be unfortunate.
CHARLOTTE
My mother learned from my father that Mr. Bingley is bringing two ladies and two gentlemen.
Ah…you can see for yourself, as they are just arriving.
( MR. BINGLEY, MR. DARCY, MISS BINGLEY, MRS. HURST and MR. HURST enter. SIR WILLIAM approaches MR. BINGLEY, who introduces him to his party. They are too far away from the girls for them to overhear.)
JANE
Do you know who they are, Charlotte?
CHARLOTTE
The one greeting my father is Mr. Bingley.
JANE
He has a nice smile.
CHARLOTTE
The ladies are Mr. Bingley’s sisters. One of the gentlemen is Mr. Hurst, who is married to Mr. Bingley’s sister.
ELIZABETH
(Indicates MR. DARCY.)
Is that he?
CHARLOTTE
No, the other gentleman.
ELIZABETH
Better and better.
CHARLOTTE
The gentleman speaking to my father now is Mr. Darcy. He is, as I understand, one of Mr. Bingley’s closest friends.
(MRS. BENNET comes bustling up, all excited.)
MRS. BENNET
Girls, girls! I just had it from Lady Lucas, that Mr. Bingley’s friend, Mr. Darcy, is worth a vast fortune.
(An exaggerated whisper.)
Ten thousand a year! He owns a house in town and a country estate in Derbyshire known as Pemberley.
(Notices that SIR WILLIAM is leading the Netherfield party their way.)
Shhh…girls. They are coming this way.
(Pretends to be looking at something else until the party arrives.)
SIR WILLIAM
Ah, Mrs. Bennet. May I present to you Mr. Bingley? He is newly come to Hertfordshire.
(They curtsy/bow.)
And these are two of Mrs. Bennet’s daughters, Miss Jane Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
(They curtsey/bow.)
MR. BINGLEY
How do you do, Mrs. Bennet? May I present to you my sisters, Miss Caroline Bingley, Mrs. Hurst, her husband, Mr. Hurst, and my friend Mr. Darcy.
(Ad lib greetings with curtsies/bows. The music starts.)
MR. DARCY
Miss Bingley, would you do me the honor of this dance?
MR. BINGLEY
Miss Bennet, would you do me the honor of this dance?
JANE
I thank you sir, yes.
(They cross the floor to begin dancing. MRS. BENNET moves to talk to LADY LUCAS and ELIZABETH sits to watch. It is obvious the ladies and gentlemen from Netherfield are elegant dancers. When the music ends, MR. DARCY returns MISS BINGLEY to her sister. MISS BINGLEY is asked to dance by SIR WILLIAM. MR. BINGLEY returns JANE to her mother and then approaches MR. DARCY who is standing by the wall, near where ELIZABETH is sitting.)
MR. BINGLEY
Come, Darcy. I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about in this stupid manner.
MR. DARCY
I certainly shall not. I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with.
MR. BINGLEY
I would not be so fastidious as you are for a kingdom. Upon my honor, I have never met with so many pleasant girls in my life, and there are several of them uncommonly pretty.
MR. DARCY
You were dancing with the only handsome girl in the room.
MR. BINGLEY
Oh, she is an angel; the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld…
(Sees ELIZABETH.)
There is one of her sisters; she is very pretty.
MR. DARCY
She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me.
BLACKOUT
ACT I
SETTING: The Bennet's parlor.
AT RISE: Everyone but JANE is present. ELIZABETH is down stage, looking out of the window.
KITTY
Lydia and I danced every dance at the last two balls.
LYDIA
And Mary danced none.
MARY
I care not for such things. I was quite content to discuss music with Sir William and Lady Lucas.
MRS. BENNET
Oh, my dear Mr. Bennet, since Mr. Bingley and his party have arrived in the neighborhood, we have had the most delightful balls. I wish you had been at the last dance. Jane was most admired. Everybody said how well she and Mr. Bingley look when they dance. Only think of that, my dear.
JANE
I am very much flattered by his attentions.
MRS. BENNET
We are all quite delighted with him. He is so excessively handsome. And his sisters are charming women. Their dresses were quite elegant. I daresay the lace on Mrs. Hurst’s gown…
MR. BENNET
No lace, my dear. I care not to hear a description of it. Well, Lizzy, what say you? What of Mr. Bingley’s friend I hear tell of?
MRS. BENNET
Mr. Darcy! What a rude, disagreeable man. Quite proud and vain.
MARY
Pride is a very common failing. Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. Pride relates to our opinion of ourselves; vanity to what we would have others think of us.
(Everyone looks at her a moment.)
MRS. BENNET
Well, proud or vain, I don’t like the man. He slighted Lizzy.
MR. BENNET
What? Slighted my Lizzy?
ELIZABETH
Do not worry, Papa. For my part, I cared not for him.
MRS. BENNET
Another time, Lizzy, I would not dance with him, if I were
you.
MR. BENNET
I must agree.
ELIZABETH
Do not worry. I may safely promise you never to dance with Mr. Darcy.
LYDIA
Uncle Philips said the militia is to remain in Meryton for the whole winter.
KITTY
Yesterday our Aunt Philips told us that Colonel Forester is considering throwing a ball soon. He says his officers need time spent in polite company.
LYDIA
I would be glad to spend time in their company.
(Giggles.)
KITTY
I would be glad to spend time with any man wearing regimentals.
(Giggles.)
Now that the rain has stopped, let us walk to Meryton and see if we can meet any of them.
MR. BENNET
Mrs. Bennet, I think we may congratulate ourselves that here sit two of the silliest girls in the country.
ELIZABETH
Mama, I am concerned about Jane.
MRS. BENNET
The invitation yesterday from Miss Bingley to join her and Mrs. Hurst for luncheon was too good an opportunity to pass. The gentlemen were out hunting and if Jane had gone in the carriage, she might have missed seeing Mr. Bingley altogether; but if she went by horseback to Netherfield and it rained, she would be invited to stay the night. As it did rain, I was right in my thinking and - if the rain should return - she might stay yet another night.
(HILL enters with a note. She curtsies.)
HILL
It’s for Miss Elizabeth, Sir. From Miss Jane.
(Hands the letter to ELIZABETH and exits.)
ELIZABETH
(Opens the letter and reads aloud.)
My dearest Lizzy, I find myself very unwell this morning, which I suppose is to be imputed to my getting wet yesterday. My kind friends will not hear of my returning home till I am better and, excepting for a sore throat and headache, there is not much the matter with me. Your loving sister, Jane.
MR. BENNET
(To MRS. BENNET.)
Well, my dear, if your daughter should die of a dangerous illness, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley and under your orders.
MRS. BENNET
Oh! People do not die of little trifling colds. She will be taken good care of.
ELIZABETH
Father, I should like to go to Jane.
MR. BENNET
Is this a hint to send for the carriage?
ELIZABETH
No, indeed, I shall walk. The distance is nothing, only three miles, I shall be back by dinner.
MRS. BENNET
Walk! How can you be so silly as to think of such a thing, in all this dirt! You will not be fit to be seen when you get there.
ELIZABETH
I shall be very fit to see Jane – which is all I want.
BLACKOUT
ACT I
SETTING: A parlor at Netherfield.
AT RISE: MR. HURST is sleeping in a chair, MR. BINGLEY is writing a letter and MISS BINGLEY and MRS. HURST are looking at a magazine. MR. DARCY has a book opened, but is not looking at it. Instead, he is staring off, with a pensive expression. After a moment, MISS BINGLEY crosses to MR. DARCY.
MISS BINGLEY
I can guess what you are thinking.
MR. DARCY
I should imagine not.
MISS BINGLEY
You are thinking how insupportable it would be to pass many days in this neighborhood.
MR. DARCY
My mind has been more agreeably engaged, I assure you. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.
MISS BINGLEY
(Brightens, thinking he is talking about her.)
And who might this be that caught your attention?
MR. DARCY
Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
MISS BINGLEY
Miss Elizabeth Bennet? I am all astonishment. When pray, am I to wish you joy?
(FOOTMAN enters.)
FOOTMAN
Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
(ELIZABETH enters, they all stand and curtsy/bow. MR. BINGLEY crosses to her.)
MR. BINGLEY
Miss Bennet; what a pleasant surprise.
ELIZABETH
Good morning. I was most anxious to receive Jane’s note and hear of her illness and am come to check on her.
MISS BINGLEY
Your hem, my dear Miss Elizabeth! Did your carriage get stuck in the mud?
ELIZABETH
(Looks down at her hemline.)
No, it did not, for I walked.
MRS. HURST
Walked! All the way from Longbourn, in this weather!
ELIZABETH
It is a mere three miles and the rain stopped before breakfast.
(Notices that MR. DARCY is looking at her and turns back to MR. BINGLEY.)
I was most concerned about my sister.
MR. BINGLEY
Of course you were. I am sure she will feel much the better now you are here. Mr. Jones feels that several days of bed rest will do her much good. I would be most happy to send to Longbourn for your things, so you can care for your sister.
ELIZABETH
I never meant to imply…
MR. BINGLEY
I assure you, it will be no problem at all.
ELIZABETH
You are too kind, Sir. Now, if would you be so good as to take me to my sister?
MR. BINGLEY
Yes, yes, of course. Right this way.
(Gestures for the FOOTMAN to show her. They exit.)
MR. HURST
Here now, if I must be awake, let us at least make up a table of quadrille.
(MR. BINGLEY, MISS BINGLEY, and MRS. HURST cross to the table where they sit and begin to play cards.)
MRS. HURST
I must say, Miss Elizabeth Bennet has nothing to recommend her, but being an excellent walker. Did you note her appearance? She looked almost wild.
MISS BINGLEY
She did indeed, Louisa. I could hardly keep my countenance. Why must she be scampering about the country, because her sister had a cold? Her hair so untidy, so blowzy.
MRS. HURST
And her petticoats. Six inches deep in mud.
MR. BINGLEY
It quite escaped my notice. I thought she looked remarkable well.
MISS BINGLEY
I’m sure you noticed it, Mr. Darcy. I’m inclined to think that you would not wish to see your sister make such an exhibition.
MR. DARCY
Certainly not.
MRS. HURST
To walk three or four miles, in all that dirt, and quite alone!
MISS BINGLEY
It shows an abominable sort of conceited independence.
MR. BINGLEY
It shows an affection for her sister that is very pleasing.
MISS BINGLEY
I’m afraid, Mr. Darcy, that this adventure has affected your admiration for her fine eyes?
MR. DARCY
Not at all. I thought they were brightened by the exercise.
(This surprised both women and caused a pause in the conversation.)
MRS. HURST
Well, Jane Bennet is a sweet girl. But with such a father and mother.
MISS BINGLEY
She told us that their uncle is an attorney in Meryton.
MRS. HURST
And another who lives in Cheapside.
(Both women laugh.)
MR. BINGLEY
If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside, it would not make them one jot less agreeable.
DARCY
But it must lessen their chance of marrying well.
(ELIZABETH enters. They all stand and bow/curtsey.)
MISS BINGLEY
And how did you find your dear sister?
ELIZABETH
I am afraid that she is still feeling poorly.
MR. BINGLEY
Let me send for Mr. Jones.
ELIZABETH
Let us see how she fares come morning.
MRS. HURST
Would you join us for a hand of cards, Miss Bennet?
ELIZABETH
Thank you, no. I want to check on Jane in a while and will just amuse myself with a book.
(She picks up a book and sits down.)
MR. HURST
You prefer reading to cards? Singular.
MISS BINGLEY
Miss Elizabeth Bennet despises card and is a great reader and has no pleasure in anything else.
ELIZABETH
I deserve neither such praise or such censure. I am not a great reader and find pleasure in many things.
MISS BINGLEY
And you sir, Mr. Darcy, what pray are you doing?
MR. DARCY
I am writing to my sister, Georgiana.
MISS BINGLEY
Ah, Georgiana! Is she much grown since last spring? Will she be as tall as I am?
MR. DARCY
I would think that she is now about Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s height.