PRESS RELEASE
Get ready, Perth Plied and Prejudice, the wildly unhinged, liquor-soaked adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel, is heading west with a brand-new cast for Perth. Elizabeth Bennet and Mister Darcy still dance around love and class — but this time, it’s with more gin, fewer manners, and far more costume changes.
Written by Matthew Semple with original direction by Dash Kruck and directed by Ian Good, with set and costume design by Penny Challen and movement direction by Dan Venz, this immersive experience sees five actors scrambling to play twenty characters in only ninety minutes, with all notions of respectable theatre (and British etiquette) thrown out the door! And with a different actor getting indisposed each night, no two shows will ever be the same! What could possibly go right?
“After sell-out seasons in Brisbane and London, we are thrilled to be bringing Plied and Prejudice to Perth audiences with an exceptional cast that promises to bring Regency-era charm, wit and a touch of debauchery to the stage. And, along with excellent comedic timing, they have something else in common… they all love a stiff drink!” says producer Alex Woodward from Woodward Productions.
The hilariously inappropriate cast tasked with ruining this cultural icon features a mix of local and national talent: Ayesha Gibson, Hanna Harvey, Jess Lalley, Lucy Goodrick, Oliver Clare, Patrick Gandin and RP van der Westhuizen.
From WAAPA-trained triple threats to musical theatre misfits, this cast brings not only Regency- era charm and razor sharp timing, but also a few very unexpected credentials…
Ayesha Gibson (Femme 1/Lizzy), who hails from St Kilda via Sarawak, Oman and just about every Australian coast imaginable, once voiced an entire Dutch audiobook — without knowing how to do a Dutch accent. A fermentation fanatic and reformed marathon trainee, she claims her dog is prettier than she is (and yes, her dog is joining her in Perth).
Hanna Harvey (Swing), a Port Melbourne native, brings Scandinavian flair (she speaks Swedish), and a love of breakfast-for-dinner and Biscoff spread. A WAAPA graduate who grew up dancing in Williamstown, she’s ready to swing into the chaos of twenty characters between 5 actors.
Jess Lally (Femme 3), a Perth local, is returning from maternity leave after touring Bogan Shakespeare whilst she was pregnant (even performing in her third trimester!). A secondary teacher and long-time audiobook addict, she brings both gravitas and a completely unrelated love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer to her roles as Mrs Bennet, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and more.
Lucy Goodrick (Femme 2), who splits her time between Elwood and Claremont, is a jazz-singing, leopard-print-loving Pisces with a passion for Y2K nostalgia and op shop finds. Her childhood obsession with Colin Firth’s Mr Darcy makes this gig a full-circle moment. And honestly, what self respecting elder millennial doesn't relate?
Oliver Clare (Swing) is a self-described massive Star Wars nerd who can mimic just about any accent — a vital skill when jumping between multiple roles on the fly. Having spent over eight days of his life listening to every single episode (including bonus episodes) of his favourite podcast “We Got the Chocolates”, he’s now trading earbuds for bonnets and bodices.
Patrick Gandin (M1), known for his Johnny Cash covers and Italian cooking skills, brings rugged sincerity and rural anecdotes — including helping birth a calf and a foal in the same 24 hours. When he’s not on stage, he works in disability care.
Also joining the ensemble is RP van der Westhuizen (Masc 2), a triplet and proud Mandurah local originally from South Africa, who teaches high school by day and directs musicals by night. His favourite artist? Stephen Sondheim — and he’s not sorry about it.
This is Pride and Prejudice as the BBC would never abide - where love, laughter and liquor flow in equal measure.
Whether you’re an Austen die-hard or you’d rather be watching Die Hard, you’re sure to love it - most ardently!
Ticketing:
Tickets (pauper and otherwise) are on sale now via His Majesty’s Theatre website.
Lady Catherine De Bourgh's Honoured Guests - $100 Admit
(Plush thrones for the chosen few, includes a glass of prosecco 🥂. Elevated. Exclusive. Judging everyone)
Aristocrats - $70 Admit
(Front-row finesse with prime views and proper posture. Prestige guaranteed)
Middle Class - $60 Admit
(Solid chairs, solid morals. Centrally seated and socially acceptable)
Paupers - $30 Admit
(High stools, low morals. Perched at the back - where the impropriety brews)
Show Details:
Running time (subject to change) 90 minutes
Age Restriction Strictly 18+
Notes Show contains drug and alcohol references, coarse language, sexual language, inappropriate jokes, loud music, and the wettest of wet t-shirt contests.