Pride And Prejudice The Musical

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

A Musical Play in Two Acts

based on the novel by Jane Austen

Book and Lyrics by Deborah Morris

Music by Ann Kapp Andersen

 Copyright 2007  

by  Deborah Morris and Ann Kapp Andersen

All Rights Reserved

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Speaking Roles (In the order they appear in the script)

Mrs. Bennet – A middle-aged woman with five unmarried daughters

Mr. Bennet – Mrs. Bennet’s husband

Jane – The Bennet’s eldest daughter

Elizabeth – The Bennet’s second daughter

Mary – The Bennet’s third daughter

Kitty – The Bennet’s fourth daughter

Lydia – The Bennet’s youngest daughter

Mr. Bingley – An eligible bachelor

Mr. Darcy – His eligible friend

Charlotte – Elizabeth’s best friend

Perkes – Mr. Bingley’s servant 

Miss Bingley – Mr. Bingley’s sister

Mrs. Hurst – Mr. Bingley’s sister

Mr. Hurst – Mrs. Hurst’s husband

Mr. Wickham – A soldier and enemy of Darcy

Mr. Collins – A cleric related to the Bennets

Mrs. Gardiner – Mrs. Bennet’s sister-in-law

Lady Catherine – Mr. Darcy’s aunt

Colonel Fitzwilliam – Mr. Darcy’s cousin

Mr. Gardiner – Mrs. Gardiner’s husband, a brother of Mrs. Bennet

Miss Darcy – Younger sister of Mr. Darcy

Hill – The Bennet’s servant 

Nonspeaking roles

Miss de Bourgh – Cousin to Mr. Darcy, only child of Lady Catherine

Dancers and chorus – From 4 to 6 couples as ball guests and villagers

LIST OF SONGS

ACT ONE

“The Marriage Song” The Bennet Family        Act I Scene 1

“Gigue”  Orchestra Act I Scene 2 

“Love’s Spell” Jane Act I Scene 3

“I Do Not Wish to Know”  Charlotte & Elizabeth Act I Scene 4

“Spiteful Banter” The Hursts & Miss Bingley Act I Scene 5

“As a Moth to the Flame” Darcy Act I Scene 7

“Sarabande” Orchestra Act I Scene 9

“Mr. Collin’s Proposal”       Mr. Collins & Elizabeth Act I Scene 10

“Love’s Spell” (Reprise 1) Jane Act I Scene 11

“The Reckoning” Elizabeth Act I Scene 14

“Moth to the Flame” (Reprise) Darcy Act I Scene 15

ACT TWO

“Take Me to Gretna Green” Lydia & Wickham Act II Scene 1

“Ask Me for the Stars” Darcy Act II Scene 4

“Lydia’s Triumph” Lydia Act II Scene 7

“Love’s Spell” (Reprise 2) Orchestra Act II Scene 9

“Lady C’s Ultimatum”    Lady Catherine & Elizabeth Act II Scene 10

“Ask Me for the Stars” (R.1)    Elizabeth Act II Scene 10

“Ask Me for the Stars” (R. 2)     Elizabeth & Darcy Act II Scene 11

“Come Drink the Cup” The Cast Act II – Epilogue

Act One – Scene One:

(Lights come up on stage right apron which represents the parlor of the Bennet home, Longbourn.  The female Bennet family members are engaged in various leisure activities.  Remnants of afternoon tea are in evidence.  Enter Mr. Bennet)

mrs. bennet:   Mr. Bennet!  Netherfield Hall has been let at last.  Lady Lucas has just been here, and she has told me all about it. . . . Well, don’t you want to know who has taken it?

mr. bennet:   You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.  

mrs. bennet:   Lady Lucas says that Netherfield is taken by a single young man from the north of England by the name of Bingley, and he is possessed of a large fortune. He came down on Monday, and was so much delighted with the place that he agreed to take it upon the spot.  What a fine thing for our girls!

(Giggling from Kitty and Lydia)

mr. bennet:   How so?  How can it affect them?

mrs. benet:   My dear Mr. Bennet. how can you be so tiresome?  A single, young man of large fortune – four or five thousand a year – must be in want of a wife.  Naturally, I am thinking of his marrying one of our daughters.  (More giggles from Kitty and Lydia)   

mr. bennet:   Is that his design in settling here?

mrs. bennet:   Design!  Nonsense!  How can you talk so?  But it is very likely that he may fall in love with one of them.  And therefore, you must visit him at once!  Sir William and Lady Lucas have already gone on Charlotte’s account, and it will be impossible for us to visit him if you do not.

mr. bennet:   You are overscrupulous, surely my dear.  With five unmarried daughters, I daresay Mr. Bingley will be very glad to see you.  And I will send a few lines by you to assure him of my hearty consent to his marrying whichever he chooses of the girls.  Though, I must throw in a good word for my little Lizzy.

elizabeth:   Oh, father.

mrs. bennet:   Mr. Bennet!  I desire you will do no such thing!  You take delight in vexing me.  You have no compassion on my poor nerves.  

(Music begins for “The Marriage Song”)

mr. bennet:   You mistake me, my dear.  I have a high respect for your nerves.  They are my old friends.  I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least.

mrs. bennet:    And yet you withhold your assistance!

“The marriage song”

mrs. bennet:       I bear the burden all alone

                        you are no help at all.

                        A single man of fortune comes

                        And you refuse to call.

            Marriage is not what I expected

                        Thought you’d support me all the way

                        No, marriage is not what I expected it to be

                          Feeling more lonely every day.

mr. bennet:         My wife thinks just of silly things

                          of  fashion, balls and such.

                          I miss the charming girl I wed

                          her tenderness, her touch.

              Marriage is not what I expected

                          Little in common with my wife.

                          No, marriage is not what I expected it to be.

                          Now all my days are filled with strife.

elizabeth:    My father is a learned man.

My mother loves to sew;

How they came to fall in love

                             we truly do not know.

kitty and mary: Marriage for me will be more thrilling!

lydia: Marriage for me must be for fun.

elizabeth and jane:And marriage is sharing all your sorrows, all your dreams,

         blending two hearts to beat as one.

mrs. bennet:    (speaking)  Sometimes, Mr.  Bennet, I wonder if you care to see your daughters marry at all!     

               (singing)      My dear, you’d be no use to us 

                          should twenty suitors come

mr. bennet: Please rest assured, if twenty come

                          I’ll visit every one.

mr. & mrs. bennet: Marriage is not what I expected

                          when I was caught by passion’s fire.

                          No, marriage is not what I expected it to be!                      

kitty and mary: I dream of finding the right suitor!

lydia: I want a handsome man to love me!

jane: Someone who’s kind and understanding!

elizabeth:  A man who’s intelligent and strong!

bennet girls: Marriage is what we all desire!

mrs. bennet:   (speaking as the music fades)  Ah, you do not know what I suffer!

mr. bennet:   What is that you are doing Lizzy?

elizabeth:   Trimming my bonnet, Father.

mr. bennet:   I hope that Mr. Bingley will like it, Lizzy.

mrs. bennet:   We are not to know what Mr. Bingley will like, since we are not to visit.

elizabeth:   But you forget, Mamma, that we shall certainly meet him at the assemblies, and Lady Lucas has promised to introduce him.  

mrs. bennet:   She will do no such thing.  She has Charlotte to think of.  And Charlotte, who you must own is rather plain, will soon be past the age of getting a husband.  No, I will not depend upon Lady Lucas. . . . Don’t keep coughing so Kitty, for Heaven’s sake.  Have a little compassion on my nerves.  You tear them to pieces.

mr. bennet:   Kitty has no discretion in her coughs.  She times them ill.

kitty:   I do not cough for my own amusement, Father.

lydia:   When is the next ball to be, Lizzy?

elizabeth:   Tomorrow fortnight.  

jane: Perhaps, Mamma, your friend, Mrs. Long will introduce us to Mr. Bingley at the ball.

mrs. bennet:   Mrs. Long is gone to London and will not return until the day before the ball.  So it will be impossible for her to introduce him, for she will not know him herself.

mr. bennet:   Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend, and introduce Mr. Bingley to her.

mrs. bennet:   When I am not acquainted with him myself?  Nonsense.  Nonsense.

mr. bennet:   Do you consider the forms of introduction as nonsense?  I cannot quite agree with you there.  What say you Mary?   For you are a young lady of deep reflection and read great books and make extracts. . . . While Mary is adjusting her ideas, let us return to Mr. Bingley.

mrs. bennet:   I am sick of Mr. Bingley!

mr. bennet:   I am sorry to hear that.  If I had known as much this morning, I certainly would not have called on him.  It is very unlucky, but as I have actually paid the visit we cannot escape the acquaintance now.

mrs. bennet:   Mr. Bennet!  But I knew I should persuade you at last!   And it is such a good joke too, that you should have gone this morning but never said a word about it until now.  What an excellent father you have, girls.

mr. bennet: Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you choose 

(Lights out)

Act One – Scene Two:

(Lights come up center stage to reveal a ballroom with a chamber orchestra. Charlotte Lucas and the female members of the Bennet family are among the milling guests. The orchestra is warming up their instruments.)

Mrs. Bennet:   The dancing is shortly to begin, and there is yet no sign of the elusive Mr. Bingley.  I wonder if he comes at all?  I was quite distressed when he refused my invitation to dine with us on Tuesday.

Jane:   I am sure he will be here Mamma.  Do you not recollect that Mr. Bingley went up to town to collect a party of acquaintances for the ball?

Mrs. Bennet:   A party?  What sort of party?

Lydia:   Oh, it is to be a large party of twelve ladies and seven gentlemen.

Mary:   I have heard it reported that he arrived yesterday with a party of six, five sisters and a cousin.  

Mrs. Bennet:   How unfortunate! 

Elizabeth:   All our questions as to the size and nature of the party will shortly be answered.  For I am much mistaken if that is not Mr. Bingley just arrived.

Mrs. Bennet:   What luck!  They are but a party of five, and three of them gentlemen.

Lydia:   I shall discover who they are.  (Leaves the group)

Kitty:   None of the gentlemen are as handsome as the regimental officers.

Jane:   Mr. Bingley’s manners appear easy and unaffected.

Elizabeth:   I wonder if Lydia will discover who the tall gentleman is with him.  He is much handsomer than Mr. Bingley.

Lydia:   (Returning breathless) The two ladies are Mr. Bingley’s sisters. The shorter gentleman is his brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst.  And the tall, noble-looking man is a Mr. Darcy.  They say he has ten thousand a year and an estate in Derbyshire.

Mrs. Bennet:   Ten thousand a year!

Elizabeth:   He may have more money than Mr. Bingley, but let us see if he will dance with the local young ladies.

Jane: As for me, I would sooner have an amiable partner than a rich one.

(Couples take their places for the dance, including the Bennet girls as music for the “Gigue” begins.  Mr. Bingley leads Jane out onto the floor.  Mr. Darcy stands at the side observing.  Elizabeth, who is without a partner, sits in the only available chair. At the end of the first dance  Mr. Bingley approaches Darcy. Music continues to play softly in the background.)

Mr. Bingley:   Come, Darcy.  I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner.  You had much better dance.  

Mr. Darcy:    At such an assembly as this it would be insupportable.  Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to stand up with. 

Mr. Bingley:   Darcy!  Upon my honor, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening.  And there are several of them uncommonly pretty.

Mr. Darcy:   You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room.

Mr. Bingley:   Oh, she is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld!  But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I dare say very agreeable. 

Mr. Darcy:   Which do you mean?  (He turns to make eye contact with Elizabeth and then turns back)  She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt  me.  You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me.  

(Elizabeth rises, staring at Darcy.  He turns toward her as though he feels her gaze.  The music and lights fade and a spot is left briefly on Darcy and Elizabeth before the stage goes black)

Act One – Scene Three:

(The female Bennet family members enter the parlor to find Mr. Bennet dozing in a chair.  A servant follows them in, collects bonnets and cloaks and exits.  Kitty, Mary and Lydia follow  after kissing their father and saying goodnight.  Elizabeth and Jane remain.)

Mrs. Bennet:  Oh! My dear Mr. Bennet.  We have had a most excellent ball.  Jane was so admired!  Mr. Bingley thought her quite beautiful, and danced with her twice!  He has such agreeable manners and is so excessively handsome!  His sisters are also very fine.  Why, I never in all my life saw anything more elegant than their dresses.  I daresay the lace upon Mrs. Hurst’s gown . . .

Mr. Bennet:   Stop!   I refuse to hear any description of finery!

Mrs. Bennet:   Oh, my dear, Mr. Bingley’s friend Mr. Darcy, is quite an odious, horrible man. And he insulted our Lizzy.  Said she was not handsome enough to dance with!   So high and conceited that there was no enduring him!  He walked here, and he walked there, fancying himself so great!  Not handsome enough to dance with!  I only wish you had been there, my dear, to have given him one of your set downs.  I quite detest the man!  (Exit Mr. and Mrs. Bennet on her last line)

Elizabeth: Well . . .?

Jane:   Oh Lizzy, Mr. Bingley is just what a young man ought to be, sensible, good-humored, lively.  And I never saw such happy manners!  So much ease, and with such perfect good breeding!

(Music begins to rise in the background)

I was very much flattered by his asking me to dance a second time.  I did not expect such a compliment.  

Elizabeth:   Did you not?  I did for you.

“LOVE’S SPELL”

Jane: (singing)          When he held out his hand and I lifted my eyes

                    Then I paused at the warmth in his glance

                    As I trembled inside at the power of his touch

                    I abandoned myself to the dance. 

      Love’s spell then captured me, 

                    It took me by surprise.

                    Love’s spell enraptured me, 

                    I saw it in his eyes.

Elizabeth: (Spoken) Well, he was very handsome, which a young man ought to be if he possibly can.

Jane: (Singing)        It was more than good looks that enchanted my heart

                  As he led me out on to the floor.

Pride And Prejudice The Musical

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