The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley
by Lauren Gunderson, Margot Melcon

The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley Book Cover
The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley Cover

Highlights

120 mins 19th Century Unit Set/Multiple Settings Period Costumes Comedy

Synopsis

In this delightful companion play to Miss Bennet , authors Gunderson and Melcon once again bring Jane Austen’s beloved characters to the stage for a yuletide sequel to Pride and Prejudice .

While Miss Bennet depicted the newly wed Darcys’ Christmas gathering on the ground floor of Pemberley, The Wickhams takes audiences to the downstairs servants’ quarters for that same celebration.

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.

Press Reviews

"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

"The Wickhams is as witty and wonderful as its sister play. 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

"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

Characters

Character
Brian

A footman, in love with technology and inventions, sincere and earnest, perhaps a bit arrogant.

Cassie

The new housemaid, a village girl, an orphan who came from less than nothing. The opportunity to work at Pemberley means security she has never had, and she takes this job very seriously. She is sometimes maybe too eager and a bit headstrong.

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy

Head and owner of Pemberley.

Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy

Mistress of Pemberley.

George Wickham

Grew up at Pemberley, son of the former steward, once a soldier, has been in and out of trouble (of his own making) his whole life.

Lydia Wickham

A bright, warm and charming personality, if sometimes a bit much, eloped with Wickham at 15 and is now somewhat trapped in this marriage.

Mrs. Reynolds

Late 50s, early 60s, the housekeeper at Pemberley, knows all and sees all, has been on staff since Darcy was a child. A mother figure to the household.

Videos

The Wickhams – City Theatre Trailer

Publication

ISBN-13 9780822240341
ISBN-10 0822240343

The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley is a comedy play written by Lauren Gunderson and published by Dramatists Play Service .

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Rating

3.9

59 ratings · 98 reviews

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Performance Rights

Available for Licensing
Amateur & Professional
Fee: Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

Restrictions: Major Markets Plus (US) / Standard Plus Add'l Postcodes (UK)

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