Full cast announced for Pride & Prejudice

Theatre by the Lake, in co-production with Octagon Theatre Bolton, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Hull Truck Theatre, and in association with Theatr Clwyd, is delighted to announce the full cast and creative team for the much-anticipated new adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, based on the classic novel by Jane Austen.

The production will take centre stage at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick from 7 August – 6 September, following its opening at the Octagon Theatre in Bolton (5 – 28 June) and ahead of performances at Stephen Joseph Theatre (3 – 26 July), Hull Truck Theatre (18 September – 11 October), and Theatr Clwyd (15 – 25 October).

This bold and witty reimagining by acclaimed writer Kate Hamill, directed by Lotte Wakeham, brings fresh energy, music, and movement to Austen’s timeless tale of love, misjudgement and second chances.

Liz Stevenson, Artistic Director at Theatre by the Lake, said: “This production captures all the wit, passion, and heart of Austen’s novel while breathing fresh theatrical life into it. Kate Hamill’s adaptation is a contemporary celebration of the original text, and we’re excited to share it with our audiences in Keswick this summer. We’re also thrilled to welcome back several familiar faces to our stage—something we know our audiences will be excited about too.”

Returning to Theatre by the Lake are Eve Pereira, who delighted audiences as Becky in A Little Princess (2023), now playing Mary Bennet / Mr Bingley; Dyfrig Morris, memorable as Inspector Fix in Around the World in 80 Days (2023), now playing Mr Bennet; and Joanna Holden, who gave a heartfelt performance as Vera in Brassed Off (2024), now appearing as Mrs Bennet. Also returning is Louie Whitemore, Theatre by the Lake Associate Artist and designer of Around the World in 80 Days, who joins the creative team as Set and Costume Designer.

Leading the cast as the iconic central couple are Rosa Hesmondhalgh (Bridgerton, The King’s Speech) as Elizabeth Bennet and James Sheldon (The Importance of Being Earnest, Gangs of New York) as Mr Darcy. They are joined by Aamira Challenger as Jane Bennet, Jessica Ellis as Lydia Bennet / Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Ben Fensome as Mr Wickham / Mr Collins, Kiara Nicole Pillai as Charlotte Lucas / Caroline Bingley, and Emily Kathryn as Off Stage Swing.

The creative team includes: Jane Austen (Writer), Kate Hamill (Adaptor), Lotte Wakeham (Director), Jonnie Riordan (Movement Director), Sonum Batra (Composer/Musical Director), Louie Whitemore (Set and Costume Designer), Jamie Platt (Lighting Designer), Andy Graham (Sound Designer), Liv Barr (Casting Director), Chantell Walker (Associate Director), and Fraser Scott (Assistant Director).

With its sharp humour and fresh perspective, this production promises to be a vibrant and accessible take on Austen’s beloved novel.

Pride and Prejudice plays at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick from 7 August – 6 September.
Tickets start from £12 and are on-sale now.

Theatre by the Lake
At our home in the Lake District and out across Cumbria, Theatre by the Lake produces and presents nationally acclaimed theatre, made with passion, that is seen by audiences from across the globe.

We believe that theatre has the power to transform lives and we create vital opportunities for Cumbrian artists, young people and communities to come together, be inspired and explore their creativity.

From our origins as ‘The Blue Box’, our theatre was willed into existence by the local community and opened by Dame Judi Dench in 1999. 25 years later, under the co-leadership of Artistic Director, Liz Stevenson and Executive Director, Simon Stephens, we continue to be inspired by our unique place and its extraordinary people.

“Artistically sharp and stunningly situated” – New Statesman
Theatre by the Lake (as Cumbria Theatre Trust) is a registered charity, number 516673.