WOMEN FIND THEIR VOICE IN "THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY"

By Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com

 

photo by Tim Fuller

Brian (Seth Tucker) and Cassie (Emily Mohney) find time to cavort a bit downstairs at the estate of Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Lighter than a Tucson snowfall, shimmery as those Christmas tinsel icicles, “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley” fills the Arizona Theatre Company stage with that upstairs-downstairs “Downton Abbey” spirit of British home life during the the 1800's Regency period.

Yes, it's time for more politically correct fan-fiction spinning off the main characters in Jane Austen's “Pride and Prejudice” some two years after the book ended, as imagined by American playwrights Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon.

If you saw last November's ATC holiday offering, “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley,” this parallel tale takes place during the exact same Christmas, only this time as experienced by the properly appreciated servants downstairs in the estate of Mrs. Elizabeth and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

The stage set by designer Emily Paige Ballou is the realistic kitchen and servants dining area, dominated by a long, wooden table with matching benches. It's a drab but functional place for the staff to be when they aren't accommodating the wishes of those who reside upstairs.

Both of the Darcys, Elizabeth (Andrea Syglowski) and Fitzwilliam (Cecil Washington, Jr.), make occasional visits down here. But the real action belongs to the household staffers who keep trying to thwart the upstairs conniving of George Wickham (Alex J. Gould) and Lydia Wickham (Maya Encila), as well as fan the sparks downstairs between the family footman Brian (Seth Tucker) and Cassie (Emily Mohney), recently hired to help out over the holidays, while Mrs. Reynolds (Amelia White) the Housekeeper makes sure proper behavior is maintained by all.

As in last year's visit to Pemberley, no knowledge of “Pride and Prejudice” or Jane Austen is required. The language is quite direct and up to date. Even more current is Gunderson's determination to give all the women the most enlightened feminist attitudes.

It is fun to see all the period costumes and proper manners, then hear such feisty remarks.

“The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley” is, essentially, a good-natured romantic comedy with all the usual sit-com contrivances of its successful television predecessors. As directed by Veronika Duerr with a sprightly hand, everything moves along quickly and with optimism.

Gould in the villain's role of Lydia's scorned husband George is quite energetic. Washington gives Mr. Darcy a stately eloquence. Tucker as Brian is the elfish and lovable one.

But really, it is the women who have the most fun with their roles. Cassie is learning to find her footing in life. Elizabeth in her young marriage to Mr. Darcy is busy establishing problem-solving precedents so their lifetime relationship keeps developing 60-40 in her favor. Mrs. Reynolds the Housekeeper has seen it all before and doesn't let any one forget it.

“The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley” runs through Dec. 2 with performances at various times Wednesdays through Sundays in the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. ATC's current COVID protocol recommends audience members wear masks, though they are not required. Vaccination records are no longer required.

Tickets are $25-$95. For details and online ticket sales, visit www.atc.org or phone 833-282-7328 (833-ATC-SEAT).