Direct from its triumph in the West End where it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy, Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) is a unique and audacious retelling of Jane Austen’s most iconic love story. Men, money and microphones will be fought over in this irreverent but affectionate adaptation where the stakes couldn’t be higher when it comes to romance.

This “smart, laugh out loud funny” (Daily Telegraph) show features a string of pop classics including ‘Young Hearts Run Free’, ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow’ and ‘You’re So Vain’.

Coming to Australia for the first time, five fearless women bring Austen’s world of love, class and chaos to life with heart, humour and unstoppable energy in this modern take on one of the world’s most adapted pieces of literature.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE* (*sort of)
Melbourne – Athenaeum Theatre, from 18th June 2026
Sydney – Sydney Opera House from 16th July 2026
Wollongong – Merrigong Theatre Company from 2nd September 2026
Canberra – Canberra Theatre Centre from 16th September 2026
Brisbane – Playhouse, QPAC from 30th September 2026
www.facebook.com/woodwardproductions/

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Pride & Prejudice is one of the greatest romance stories ever written. In the 250th year after her birth, Jane Austen’s timeless tale leaps to the stage in a vibrant retelling with a luminous all-Queensland cast.

Smart, witty and fearless, Elizabeth Bennet is an independent young woman who dearly loves a laugh and is not afraid to poke fun where fun is most definitely warranted. At odds with her husband-hunting sisters and dithery mother, Elizabeth longs for the power to determine her own marital fate.

Amidst the glittering swirl of regency balls, gossip and the hypocrisy of 19th century England, Elizabeth encounters the arrogant, aloof, but infuriatingly eligible Mr Darcy. The two are more alike than they care to admit. Mindful? Yes. Demure? Debatable. A perfect match? Most ardently!

Penned by Patrick White Award winners Wendy Mocke and Lewis Treston, Austen’s rapier wit and iconic characters burst to life in this exquisite theatrical adaptation of the novel that defined the very genre of romantic comedy.

Pride & Prejudice
20 February – 9 March
Playhouse, QPAC, Brisbane
www.queenslandtheatre.com.au

But wait, there’s a twist! No, it’s not a typo. This isn’t your grandmother’s Jane Austen adaptation. Plied and Prejudice is an 80-minute romp through Austen’s beloved classic but with a delightful deviation. Five talented actors will take on the challenge of portraying a whopping 20 characters, all while navigating the chaos that ensues when one of them imbibes five shots of liquor and does their best to derail the show.

Pride and Prejudice has long held a cherished place in the hearts of literary enthusiasts and the general public alike. With over 20 million copies sold worldwide, it’s no wonder that this timeless tale continues to captivate audiences across generations. Now, Woodward Productions is injecting new life into this classic story with a fresh and irreverent take that is sure to delight fans old and new.

Drawing inspiration from other wildly successful (and naughty) adaptations of classic literature, Plied and Prejudice promises an evening of side-splitting entertainment. This is a show for anyone who loves the original novels, adores the film adaptations, or simply enjoys a good laugh and a great time.

Producer Alex Woodward said, “We’re thrilled to bring this unique theatrical experience to Brisbane audiences. With Plied and Prejudice, we’re blending classic literature with a modern twist, creating an unforgettable night of laughter and merriment. Get ready to experience Pride and Prejudice like never before. Come and join us at The Shed, Northshore, and prepare for an evening of literary hilarity that will leave you begging for an encore.”

Plied and Prejudice
From 14th June
The Shed, Dock C, Northshore Brisbane
www.pliedandprejudice.com

Arriving over two decades after Douglas McGrath’s 1996 starring vehicle for Gwyneth Paltrow, this version by director Autumn de Wilde attempts to reintroduce the story to a new generation. It revolves around the life of the young daughter Emma, played by Anya Taylor-Joy (Peaky Blinders and Glass).

She is rich, spoiled and likes to bend the people around her to her will, this includes her somewhat bumbling father played by Bill Nighy. As she experiences a slowly emerging attraction for her neighbour George Knightley (Johnny Flynn), she has to rearrange the people around her to accomplish these goals.

Wealth and entitlement play pretty much the same regardless of the age and Emma is quite an unappealing character at the start of the film. The speech patterns and reserved emotional resonance of the day are also obstacles that need to be overcome. As Emma discovers the depth of her feelings, the changes make her more relatable and the movie more enjoyable. By film’s end you realise you might have misjudged her.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU

Handsome, clever, and rich, Emma Woodhouse is a restless queen bee without rivals in her sleepy little town. In this glittering satire of social class and the pain of growing up, Emma must adventure through misguided matches and romantic missteps to find the love that has been there all along.

Emma will be released in Australian cinemas February 13.
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU

Handsome, clever, and rich, Emma Woodhouse is a restless queen bee without rivals in her sleepy little town. In this glittering satire of social class and the pain of growing up, Emma must adventure through misguided matches and romantic missteps to find the love that has been there all along.

Emma will be released in Australian cinemas February 13!
www.facebook.com/UniversalPicturesAU

Starring Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny, Tom Bennebt, and Australian Xavier Samuel in his first romantic lead role, Love & Friendship is an adaptation of young Jane Austen’s novella, Lady Susan. Set in the 1790’s, earlier than most Austen novels, Love & Friendship concerns beautiful young widow Susan Vernon who has come to Churchill, the estate of her in-laws, to wait out colourful rumours about her dalliances circulating through polite society.

Love & Friendship is witty, with wickedly humorous quick fire dialogue providing refreshing appeal to this beautiful costume drama, with all the things you would expect from an Austen adaptation; romance, beautiful period costumes and settings, as well as plenty of gossip and drama.

www.loveandfriendshipmovie.com

Competition will be drawn 20 July 2016, winners will be notified by mail.