Play to teach audiences life lessons

By:Kathy Paz/ Staff Writer

Pride and prejudice are two words that have remained as prevalent today as they were when Jane Austen penned her novel Pride and Prejudice in the 1800’s.
The stage version of Pride and Prejudice will be the second production of the spring semester. Starring performance major students Fadoua Hanine and Jair Bula as protagonists Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy respectively, the performance is directed by Professor Phillip Church.

Adapted for the stage by Jon Jory, the play, like the book, unfolds a classic story that revolves around themes of love, morality, manners and upbringing.

“The show is about a young girl who sees the posturing and the pretensions that go on around her, in her own family and in those above her station,” said Church.
“She is one of literature’s central archetypal rebels, and college students, male and female, will identify with that impulsive and rebellious spirit.”

The story takes place in the 19th century. Because of its setting, upbringing and social status carry a lot of significance, not only for the analysis and understanding of the play, but also in terms of the writing.

“This era, the Georgian period, is of particular importance to the students training in performance. The roots of Jane Austen’s comedy lie in the Restoration era’s Comedy of Manners,” said Church.

“Traces of this style are still very much in evidence even though, as a writer, she was bringing her readers into a world of everyday realism. There is so much discipline involved with this style – physical, vocal AND spiritual. The essence, or the spirit of the times, is essential to the success of playing Austen’s characters. I think these young actors are capturing this essence remarkably well.”

The cast and crew of Pride and Prejudice followed a strict schedule to prepare for the production’s opening. Rehearsals were held each night from Monday through Friday and lasted almost three hours. Yet, things still felt rushed.

“[It’s] frustrating, but a reality which we have to live with,” said Church. “A great job was done by the choreographer, Mical Nevitt, and the dance captain, Yerelis Chavez.  Austen’s world really explodes into life. They have contributed a lot toward that end.”

The play is scheduled to open this week. Performances will run from Mar. 3- 6 and from Mar. 10 -13. The show will take place at 8:00 p.m. except for Sunday’s presentation, which will be at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 for all FIU students.

Professor Church hopes the community will walk away with some life lessons from the play.

“I want audiences to stop and think and consider and listen before responding with knee-jerk reactions,” said Church. “Both Darcy and Elizabeth learn the essential lesson of learning to listen. It is only when we listen to each other that we really begin to consider the other person’s needs – the other person’s perspective. Most of the time we are so preoccupied with listening to ourselves that we fail to listen to another. A lot of relationships self-destruct because of this.”