THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY
By Lauren Gunderson & Margot Melcon
In this delightful play, Gunderson and Melcon bring Austen’s beloved characters to the stage for a yuletide sequel to Pride and Prejudice. THE WICKHAMS takes audiences to the downstairs servants’ quarters during the newlywed Darcys’ Christmas celebratory gathering upstairs at Pemberley. Mrs. Reynolds, a no-nonsense housekeeper; Cassie, an eager new maid; and Brian, a lovesick footman, are bustling with preparations for holiday guests. But their work is interrupted by the midnight arrival of the definitely not invited Mr. Wickham—Lydia’s rogue of a husband and Mr. Darcy’s sworn enemy. THE WICKHAMS is a charming holiday tale that explores the confines of class and the generosity of forgiveness.
“The genius of Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, in exploring Austen’s world, is to explicitly articulate what the books more elliptically imply: For these 19th-century women, beyond…security lay the more fundamental dream of liberty…This is world-class theatrical art…” —City Pages Minneapolis.
“…In the tradition of the source material, there is a powerful (without being overbearing) feminist message to THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY…a lovely holiday concoction: melt in your mouth, with just a touch of spice.” —Talkin’ Broadway.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that Gunderson and Melcon brilliantly capture the heightened idiom of Austen’s world. What makes this writing team so remarkable…is the consistency of their plays’ characters with their originals in the novel…enjoy the splendid holiday gift that is THE WICKHAMS.” —Twin Cities Arts.
