“Ken Ludwig’s Pride & Prejudice, Part 2: Napoleon at Pemberley”
Westport Country Playhouse
Westport County Playhouse is currently presenting the world premiere of “Ken Ludwig’s Pride & Prejudice, Part 2: Napoleon at Pemberley,” in an engaging and entertaining production. This sequel to “Pride and Prejudice” turns out to be a great deal of fun, with excellent direction and a super cast. If Jane Austin’s novel was to ever be accorded a sequel, I doubt that it would be better than this new adaptation. Director Emily Mann has done a superb job of staging this play and the laughs are plentiful and all the actors get their moments to really shine. Even if you are not very familiar with the original “Pride and Prejudice,” “Ken Ludwig’s Pride & Prejudice, Part 2: Napoleon at Pemberley” is still quite a rollicking show.
This current play starts out just after Elizabeth (Delphi Borich, in a rich performance) has married Fitzwilliam Darcy (the stalwart Tony Roach) and she is getting used to quiet married life at Pemberley. On a whim—and without her husband’s consent—she agrees to have Napoleon Bonaparte, portrayed by the riotous Reg Rogers, to stay at their home before he is to be exiled. And while there may be historical inaccuracies in some of the plotting and time periods, this conceit of Napoleon staying at Pemberley transforms this play into a very humorous drawing room comedy.
Reflecting the time period that this play takes place in, the set design of the living room of the Darcy’s home (gorgeously designed by Beowulf Boritt) reflects style and grandeur and is the ideal setting for all of the action to occur. Similarly, Jennifer von Mayhauser’s costume design is exquisite and period perfect. “Pride & Prejudice, Part 2” also offers a whole gallery of characters who are, as portrayed by this splendid cast, distinctive and memorable.
For scene stealing work, there are two performers who truly stand out. As Lady Catherine, Kristine Nielsen is positively hilarious and makes the most out of every line and action. When she is reproaching her sheltered daughter Anne (played by the lovely Allison Wick), Nielsen’s intrusive parenting is very funny, while still maintaining the significance of how dysfunctional the mother/daughter dynamic is; indeed, one can’t help wishing that Anne would escape her mother’s clutches. I saw Nielsen do wonderful work in “Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike” and also give a delicious supporting performance in the Broadway musical “Smash.” This actress is just as spectacular in this current show.
If Nielsen has a competitor in chewing the scenery, it would definitely be the uproarious Carson Elrod, who lends his talents to the dual roles of Major Hudson Lowe and Mr. Collins. Elrod does especially well as Mr. Collins, with his gestures and way of delivering a line proving to be a master class in comedy. This actor is able to take a simple word such as “soil” and turn it into the most delectable bon bon imaginable. His costuming of the two different characters offers a lot of laughs, as well.
I would be quick to note that the entire company of “Pride & Prejudice, Part 2” works at the same high level. Lucy Austin is spirited and inventive as Elizabeth’s sister Lydia and Mathias Goldstein is terrific as Lieutenant Melville, who takes quite a liking to Anne. This play unfolds in two acts and runs about two hours and is a pleasure from start to finish. The director also works excellently with the fine lighting designers Jeff Croiter and Katy Atwell, as well as with the choreographer JoAnn M. Hunter, helping to keep the action light and airy, especially in a waltz between Napoleon and Lydia near the end of the show.
There is a wonderful line right before this waltz where Lydia proclaims that doing something beautiful helps the “soul.” This same notion can be said about seeing good theater and “Pride & Prejudice, Part 2” certainly fits the bill. There is one minor caveat, however, in the second act (not to be revealed here) that must be noted since it really strains credibility and potentially leaves a slightly sour note to the show. Still, “Ken Ludwig’s Pride & Prejudice, Part 2: Napoleon at Pemberley” at Westport Country Playhouse is so rich and rewarding that it can overcome just about any obstacle and this production is still sure to leave you with a big smile on your face.
“Ken Ludwig’s Pride & Prejudice, Part 2: Napoleon at Pemberley” runs through November 7, 2026, at Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Ct., Westport CT. For tickets and information, please call 203-227-4177 or visit westportplayhouse.org
Photo: Reg Rogers and Lucy Austin
Photo by Carol Rosegg
