It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman in Regency England must be in want of a very stiff drink.

In the week where Pride & Prejudice celebrates its 212th birthday, this beloved classic is having a theatrical makeover in the form of an immersive comedy adaptation! As I may have mentioned, I love immersive theatre, and being thrown into a performance of one of my all-time favourite books is a dream come true!

Plied and Prejudice is a side-splitting parody of Jane Austen’s classic novel, brought to you by a hilariously inappropriate cast of actors and musicians.

Telling the tale of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy as you have never seen it before, Plied and Prejudice invites you to Pemberley for Mr Darcy’s booziest ball. Equal parts performance and party, this immersive show delivers lots of audience participation complete with dance lessons, inappropriate proposals, free flowing drinks brought to you by the servants, that wet shirt scene and cameos from Keira Knightly (not the real one!).

With five actors scrambling to play twenty characters in this chaotic retelling, all notions of respectable theatre (and Regency etiquette) are thrown out the door! Direct from a sell-out run in Australia, this is Pride and Prejudice as the BBC would never abide.

If – like me – you are a true Janeite, no doubt you’ll love it — most ardently! So what are you waiting for? Grab an eligible bachelor, your unmarried daughters, and the lover you’ll settle for if your cousin won’t have you, for an unhinged night of love, lust, and libations.

Opening at The Vaults in London on 20th March, Plied and Prejudice will run until 18th May, using a catwalk style stage as audience members sit opposite each other on the chequered dancefloor of Pemberley’s ballroom to watch the story unfold in front of them.

Produced by Australian outfit Woodward Productions (The Woman In Black, Jersey Boys, A Very Naughty Christmas) and exec produced by London’s Glass Half Full Productions (The Lehman Trilogy, Ocean at the End of the Lane, 9 to 5: The Musical, Back to the Future: The Musical), Plied and Prejudice has been written by Matthew Semple, from the originating producer Alex Woodward and directed by Dash Kruck, having sold over 40,000 tickets in Australia.

The stunning immersive set is designed by legendary theatre designer Penny Challen who has made sets for ROH, RSC, ENO and National Theatre, amongst many others.

Plied and Prejudice at The Vaults in London, runs from 13th March until 18th May – Tickets are available from £19: www.pliedandprejudice.com/london