Does the world need another Jane Austen adaptation, on top of the mountains of TV dramas, stage shows and movies already in existence? Probably not. Even so, this new audio version of Pride & Prejudice, made to mark the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth, is a proper treat. Instead of a straightforward narration, Audible has thrown its considerable resources at an all-star dramatisation, adapted with skill and sensitivity by Lulu Raczka.
Marianne Jean-Baptiste plays the voluble Mrs Bennet, who is keen to get her five daughters married off, if only the longsuffering Mr Bennet (Bill Nighy) would see the urgency of the situation. New on the scene are eligible singletons Mr Bingley (Toheeb Jimoh) and his monosyllabic friend Mr Darcy (Harris Dickinson). Darcy’s air of disdain irks the outspoken Elizabeth Bennet (Marisa Abela) and leads to some heated misunderstandings concerning the rakish Mr Wickham (Will Poulter) and Darcy’s imposing aunt, Lady Catherine (Glenn Close).
