“Delight and Prejudice” is a beloved novel that has impressed romantic notions for generations. The story has been revived repeatedly each in movie and tv, from the 1939 model starring Laurence Olivier to the 2005 model starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen.
The story options intrigue, ballroom dancing and 18th century gossip. Jane Austen expertly crafted relatable characters that also enchantment to fashionable audiences.
Sophomore Jennifer Hessel, a theater and psychology main, is enjoying Elizabeth Bennet, the story’s strong-willed heroine. Elizabeth is initially cussed, erudite, intelligent — and prideful. Hessel stated it was fantastic to delve into the dynamic and flawed character.
“I believe that’s how so many alternative sorts of individuals can resonate together with her and I believe that’s one of many explanation why she’s such a beloved literary character,” Hessel, 21, stated.
In sure interpretations, Austen’s characters have been heralded as revolutionary feminists. Regardless of rebelling in opposition to restrictive patriarchal norms, there’s an plain conservative pressure in Austen’s work. Hessel stated she wished to deal with the uncooked character, faraway from political contexts not current throughout Regency period England.
“I believe there’s so many fashionable interpretations of her that sort of ignore the reality of the cultural context and ignore the reality of who Elizatbeth is,” Hessel stated.
Elizabeth’s foil, the standoffish and uptight Mr. Darcy, is performed by Alex de Fois, a sophomore finding out economics. de Fois stated homework and analysis have been useful in making ready for the position of Mr. Darcy, together with watching the 1995 BBC miniseries that includes Colin Firth as Darcy.
“Attempting to determine what he desires and why he does what he does, but in addition the way in which that he behaves,” de Fois stated. “Everybody behaves in another way even when they need the identical issues.”
de Fois additionally referenced his personal main, saying he was significantly thinking about finding out the financial features of the time, as his character is within the prime .001% by way of wealth.
Austen’s writing can at first appear impenetrable to fashionable readers unable to acknowledge the novel’s humorous underlinings, however de Fois stated the social interactions are what make “Delight and Prejudice” so timeless.
“We’ve got expertise these days, and we fancy ourselves a lot smarter that folks have been again then, however we’re not, and we have now all the identical issues and the identical social awkwardness,” de Fois stated.
Wit is a vital part of Austen’s work to which the present is paying homage. Momina Shahzad, a senior finance main, is enjoying Mary Bennet, the center youngster and black sheep of the Bennet household. She stated the manufacturing leaned into the comedy of the work.
Hessel additionally stated she appreciated the intelligent humor of the present.
“When Lizzie expresses herself, I really like that it’s sort of like delicate sarcastic commentary,” Hessel stated. “Every part is actually delicate, however that’s nearly what makes it enjoyable.”
“Delight and Prejudice” can be working from Feb. 23-26. Tickets can be found at Loyola’s Advantageous and Performing Artwork web site.
Featured picture courtesy of Joe Mazza