Upstairs/Downstairs

The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley – Northlight Theatre

Some may call this delightful, new holiday period play, co-written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, a sequel to their popular “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley,” a wonderful, lighthearted holiday comic-drama that premiered at Northlight Theatre during their 2016-17 season. But it’s not really. It’s more of a companion piece, much in the same vein as Alan Ayckbourn’s trilogy, “The Norman Conquests.” Both depict the same main characters over the course of a couple of days, with each play set in a different part of the house. Like Ayckbourn’s trio of plays, Gunderson and Melcon’s two installments about the Bennets, inspired by Jane Austen’s romantic Regency Era classic, take place during the very same Christmas holiday. 

This new play seems inspired by two popular, long-running PBS series, “Upstairs/Downstairs” and “Downton Abbey.” We once again meet Elizabeth Bennet at Pemberley House, happily married for two years to Fitzwilliam Darcy. The family have all been invited to spend the holidays at the majestic manse, all except for Lydia’s deceitful husband, the much-despised, George Wickham. Love seems to be in the air upstairs, especially for Miss Mary Bennett; however, downstairs in the kitchen and butler’s pantry there are several entirely different stories in progress.

Mrs. Reynolds, played with genuine sincerity and forthright earnestness by the incomparable Penny Slusher, runs Pemberley like a tight ship. Employing unwavering fairness and a firm hand, she’s like everyone’s mother and private adviser. But Mrs. Reynolds’ job is to make certain that the great house is clean, orderly and well-stocked for all the holiday festivities. Anticipating the need for more help for Christmas, Mrs. Reynolds hires a young woman named Cassie to temporarily help out with the demands of the Darcy’s guests. It turns out that Cassie is a longtime friend of Brian, Mrs. Reynolds’ able assistant and houseboy. It was he who actually suggested hiring Cassie because of his respect for the girl’s excellent work ethic, and Brian may consider her as more than just a buddy. Cassie and Brian are beautifully played by Aurora Real De Asua and Jason Lee, two terrifically talented young actors who are making their debut at Northlight Theatre. Along with Ms. Slusher, a veteran of many excellent productions at the Skokie venue, these three actors keep the downstairs humming with drama, comedy and festive Christmas cheer.

The main plot revolves around Lydia Wickham, alone once again, while everyone upstairs seems to be happily paired off with their mates or with a new, romantic interest. Played with incredible comic chops, and a talent for heartfelt drama, wonderful actress Jennifer Latimore returns once again to Northlight to play the effervescent Bennet sister. For Lydia, life is, indeed, a joyous banquet of constant fun; although, deep inside, she pines for her near-do-well husband who’s been forbidden to join the family for the holidays at Pemberley. At first unbeknownst to everyone upstairs, George Wickham, played with a roguish robustness by talented Will Mobley, shows up at the kitchen door. He’s drunk and bloodied, having been involved in a pub fight over a woman. Mrs. Reynolds, who helped raise Wickham alongside of Mr. Darcy, is torn over what to do. Attempting to keep his presence a secret, while feeding George and administering to his wounds, Wickham is  eventually discovered hiding downstairs.

Netta Walker, a recent Jeff Award-winner for “Yen” at Raven Theatre, makes a calm, collected and cultured Elizabeth Darcy. She’s a picture of beauty, grace and good breeding as the lady of the house, trying to keep Lydia, George and her husband apart while sailing up and down the stairs in her gorgeous Empire gowns. They, like all the sumptuous, period-perfect costumes, are creatively designed by Izumi Inaba. Fitzwilliam Darcy, whose family estate provides the setting and title for this play, is portrayed with masterful machismo by handsome Luigi Sottile, who returns to Northlight following his performance in “The Book of Will.” He displays a whole different side of Mr. Darcy than in the previous installment of this play, showing much more pride and prejudice than we’ve seen in the past.

Northlight’s return visit to Pemberley is once again helmed by talented, thoughtful director Jessica Thebus. She keeps the action focused and continuously flowing, like a gentle breeze over the moors. She’s elegantly staged her play all over William Boles’ stunning, two-level, early nineteenth century kitchen. Ms. Thebus steers her cast toward honest, reasonably-considered, fully dimensional character development. Greatly assisted by Adam Goldstein’s superb dialect coaching, each character does Jane Austen proud.

Literary fans of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and particularly theatergoers who enjoyed Northlight’s captivating and highly entertaining “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley,” will adore this second installment of what promises to be a trilogy. Playwrighting duo Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon once again transport us back to Regency England in this clever and charming comic drama. Recalling what was happening upstairs with Miss Bennet, this time around we get a peek at the busy downstairs dramas of the great house. Brought to life by a splendid cast, guided by a director who knows precisely how to make the holidays light and fun, Northlight Theatre offers another wonderful opportunity to spend Christmas at Pemberley.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas     

Presented November 7-December 15 by Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 847-673-6300 or by going to www.northlight.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions is available by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.