Review: Being Mr Wickham (Jermyn Street Theatre)

Review by Rosie Holmes

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Almost 30 years after he appeared on our screens as the devilish Mr Wickham in Pride and Prejudice, Adrian Lukis reprises his role, ready to set the record straight in defence of the character labelled a rake and boorish by Austen. Having previously been livestreamed in 2021, the one man show, also written by Lukis, now takes up residence in the intimate Jermyn Street Theatre. Not too far away are the streets of Belgravia, where Wickham describes himself having roamed like an “alley cat” in his younger years.

The audience meet George Wickham on his sixtieth birthday, and quickly discover he remains married to Lydia, who has stormed off to bed after accusing him of making eyes at another woman. The narrative unfolds as Wickham reconciles with his old age and the death of a former love interest. He takes us on a journey through his life, revealing what himself, Mr Darcy, and the Bennett’s have been up to in the thirty years since we last saw them. We also discover more of Wickham and Darcy’s earlier years, gaining a greater insight into Austen’s characters.

Throughout the performance, Wickham’s charm is undeniable, yet his reliability as a narrator is suspect—a fact he readily acknowledges with the line, "Am I to cast myself as the villain in my own story?" Wickham himself acknowledges he is no saint, he regales with tales of his dastardly ways, but does begin to remove some of his exterior to allow a slight insight into the reasons behind his behaviours. Rather than simply a villain, Lukis portrays Wickham as simply a man making the most of his circumstances, not the conniving manipulator some may perhaps view him as.

As a one-man show, Lukis is front and centre, and is an exceptionally engaging storyteller. He effortlessly draws the audience into Wickham’s world. Lukis knows his audience and makes many asides that will appeal to those who know the story of Pride and Prejudice well. It creates an atmosphere in which you feel like you are catching up with an old friend. That’s not to say those who are not familiar with the novel will not enjoy the show, mostly due to the charming performance given by Lukis. It's part of the success and charm of the show that it is not only performed by, but also written by a man who is knows so well, and is clearly so fond of, the character he plays. That being said, while there are moments of reflection and a deeper glimpse into the lives of Austen’s familiar characters, there is not much else. In terms of narrative, we don’t learn anything particularly new and there are no great revelations, meaning at times it did feel a little slow moving.  

Set design by Libby Watson transforms the small stage into Wickham’s parlour, his place of solace, and furthers the sense of intimacy between the audience and Wickham. Comfortable in his surroundings, and a quickly disappearing decanter of wine, Wickham is happy to divulge his feelings. At times, Wickham looks out the window, which allows us to return for a moment to the present, as he spends most of the performance deep in his past.

Being Mr Wickham is an enjoyable watch for both Austen fans and newcomers alike, with Adrian Lukis delivering a captivating performance that brings some depth to a character so often dismissed as merely a rogue. While occasionally slower in pace than may be ideal, this is a delightful evening of theatre, filled with a welcoming charm and familiar wit.

Being Mr Wickham plays at Jermyn Street Theatre until 22nd June 2024. Tickets and more information can be found here - Being Mr Wickham | Jermyn Street Theatre

Photos by James Findlay