LIZZY, DARCY & JANE (PLAY)

Written by Joanna Norland

Directed by Alexandra Pelvin

Canberra REP production

Canberra REP Theatre to 20 September

 

Reviewed by Len Power 5 September 2025

 

This year marks the 250^th birthday of Jane Austen and Canberra REP celebrates it with a production of Canadian playwright, Joanna Norland’s 2006 play, “Lizzy, Darcy & Jane”.

Mashing together elements of Austen’s novel, “Pride and Prejudice”, with aspects of her own life, interesting parallels come to light as characters and incidents from the novel step in and out of Austen’s own life experiences and imagination. A knowledge of the novel’s plot and of Austen’s life might be an advantage, but the cleverly woven action of the play is enjoyable on its own terms.

Lydia Milosavljevic (Jane Austen) and Dylan Hayley Rosenthal (Elizabeth Bennet)

Lydia Milosavljevic gives a fine central performance as Jane Austen, capturing her spirited character, humour and powers of observation. Dylan Hayley Rosenthal is a nicely strong-willed, intelligent Elizabeth Bennet and the four other cast members, Sterling Notley, Marco Simunec, Rachel Hogan and Elaine Noon, play multiple roles from Austen’s life and her novel, bringing their colourful characters to life very well.

Sterling Notley, Lydia Milosavljevic, Elaine Noon, Dylan Hayley Rosenthal and Rachel Hogan

The costumes by Eliza Gulley are nicely in period and the substantial period set, designed by Kayla Ciceran, with a clever lighting plot by Nathan Scibberas, assists the movement between Austen’s real life and imagination and the characters of her novel. Director, Alexandra Pelvin, has ensured that the spirit of Jane Austen and her world shines brightly in this production.

Centuries after it was written, Austen’s novel, “Pride and Prejudice”, remains one of the most beloved novels of all time, inspiring an extraordinary number of interpretations, plays and films. “Lizzy, Darcy and Jane” is a refreshing and entertaining way of looking at the novel as well as at the author, Jane Austen, herself.

 

Photos supplied by the production

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