Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

Contains spoilers.

I was giddy when I learned that City Theatre was staging the second in the Christmas at Pemberley plays. This series explores the lives and growth of the three younger Bennett sisters: Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. In 2023, they staged Miss Bennett, focusing on Mary Bennett finding love and pulling a stone cold Edith Crawley move.

“By God, Edith outranks us all”

The second act takes place over the same Christmas days, but takes us below stairs with Pemberley staff represented by footman Brian and new maid Cassie. Both have ties to the estate and the nearby village. This setting is suitable for the unfolding of Lydia and George Wickham. George grew up on the estate, son of the gamekeeper and companion to Mr. Darcy. Lydia of course was on the outskirts of gentry, living in genteel poverty with unsophisticated parents. Brian knows Wickham and does not hold him in high regard.

Various tasks and challenges bring Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy downstairs several times. Lydia is often there seeking comfort and solace she cannot articulate that she needs. Lydia is silly, but astute and knows things with her husband are not as they should be. Her struggle to take control of her life as her older sisters have done is tricky.

The show, though, belongs to Mrs. Reynolds in an outstanding performance by Shammen McCune. Mrs. Reynolds is the housekeeper and rules everything. She is stern, but kind – determined that her charges will mature under her watchful eye. And keep the house running, no easy feat with all these Bennet intrigues.

When Wickham inevitably shows up, only Lydia and Mrs. Reynolds are glad to see him. He lives down to the expectations of Mr. Darcy and let’s down both women. Lydia navigates her freedom with her dependency on family, showing the spark necessary to move on with her life and the genuine love she carries for Wickham even at his worst.

This was a satisfying show. Miss Benett reunited us with familiar characters, while this chapter expertly shifts the focus to fringe characters from Pride and Prejudice and the first play. I found it delightful to meet them whilst understanding how they fit into the larger landscape.

Elizabeth is a compassionate and respectful partner with Mrs. Reynolds with still enough pluck to insist on a Christmas tree in the parlor. Mr. Darcy is more of a background character, but pretty consistent with previous iterations. It seems clear this is a well run estate where staff are treated with regard. But it is still an estate where the head of the household sets the tone and controls the lives of his people. No one chose that.

Mrs. Reynolds though is a force to be reckoned with. She respects Mr. Darcy but defies him by taking in Wickham whom she also raised. Her decision to do so sets the stage for Lydia to discover her path. Protecting her from Wickham was a natural impulse of her family, but it was not what she needed.

My companion pointed out that Shammen McCune had just wrapped up an intense role as Gandalf in a production of The Hobbit that we had attended the previous month. They didn’t miss a beat with back to back roles, a testament to their talent and mastery of their craft. Shammen was mesmerizing, elevating the typical kind-hearted but demanding housekeeper to an essential part of the Darcy family. They are the performance to watch.

Perhaps what I loved best was that there was zero discussion that she was not married. No wistful long-lost loves. No love interest. Those things may be there, but they weren’t necessary for this story.

Carrie Anne Huneycutt’s costuming was stunning from Reynolds simple grad that seemed to glisten with hints of color to the gorgeous dresses of Elizabeth and Lydia. There’s a bit of plot revolving around Wickham’s coat so we watch him transform from erstwhile gentleman to a man below the stairs in simpler garb. Well done.

The set is quite effective with minimal transitions – most of the scenes actually take place in the kitchen. Obviously, there would be a huge staff, but the very large table hinted at that reality.

Howard Patterson’s sounds were perfect. Last year I asked for and received the Pemberley playlist. I hope that will be the case again as the striking period covers of modern songs works so well. City Theatre would do well to consider more forays into playlists and video clips to connect with younger generations.

I can’t say enough good things about this production. Well, I do have one criticism. Mr. Darcy struggles with cultivating talents among his stuff for fear of creating another Wickham. In the end, he sets aspiring inventor Brian on an educational path. I thought it was odd he did not connect Brian to Mr. Arthur DeBourgh, the cousin who inherited Lady DeBourgh’s considerable estate. Arthur is a scientist and a bookworm as is his betrothed, Mary Bennett. I could not help but wonder if Arthur would be well-served by bringing Brian into his household where he could still apprentice but clearly flourish in an environment that encouraged his talents. Also, he’d have a bit of Pemberley magic. Arthur needs his own man to learn about estates and Brian is quite familiar.

Still, that’s not a major plot point.

The power of Pride and Prejudice is the rich array of characters that can be fleshed out – what’s up with Collins duo? Georgiana? Anne DeBourgh? Even the Gardiners. And how are the Bennets coping with an empty nest? And Caroline Bingley, does she visit her brother and Jane?

And dear feisty fearless Lydia. What is in store for her? Alex Sheffield takes a shallow, silly girl and matures her into adulthood.

The Wickhams runs through December 22, 2024 at City Theatre on the South Side of Pittsburgh. I’m already anticipating the story of Kitty Bennett and bemoaning that it will end. Or will it?