Queensland Theatre's Pride & Prejudice serves up the original regency rom-com
The mother of all romantic comedies, sashays onto the stage in a landmark debut for Queensland Theatre’s 2025 Season across two huge venues from 13 February to 9 March 2025.
The dazzling adaptation of the sumptuous Jane Austen classic is fiercely funny, fiercely feminist, and fiercely Queensland, promising razor-sharp wit, bold artistry, and a tale as timeless and tantalising as when it was published over 200 years ago.
Pride & Prejudice marks the first time the state theatre company has opened its season in a regional venue, with Toowoomba’s iconic Empire Theatre staging two special performances on Thursday 13 February 2025.
Following its Toowoomba debut, the production moves to QPAC’s Playhouse with its all-Queensland cast, which promises to delight literary purists and seduce those new to Austen, while delivering all the audacity, humour, and glamour of a “regency hot girl summer.”
Steering the period piece are co-directors Bridget Boyle and Daniel Evans, the latter helming his first production since being appointed Queensland Theatre’s Artistic Director.
Evans describes Pride & Prejudice as the ultimate love letter to the world’s original romantic comedy and the perfect production to encapsulate the love of theatre that beats at the heart of Queensland Theatre’s 2025 Season.
“This is an ode to Austen’s tremendous wit and enormous heart but it’s also a celebration of our incredible homegrown talent. This show features an extraordinary Queensland-ensemble in an adaptation by two award-winning Queensland playwrights,” he said.
“The comedy is razor-sharp, the romance is swoon-worthy, and the characters we all love (and love to hate) sparkle. Our writers Wendy Mocke and Lewis Treston have made Austen thrillingly contemporary – yes, the work is set in period but the stakes of the sisters, the plight of romantic love still reverberates in 2025.”
Boyle, who first fell for Pride & Prejudice at 14 years old and has read it every year since, said the chance to shape this production was a dream come true.
Pride & Prejudice is the blueprint for romantic comedy and Austen is the reason we have this entire genre.
Bridget Boyle, Co-Director
“The question we asked ourselves right at the beginning was, how much have things actually changed for women? And the answer was: perhaps not that much. So that was our way in,” Boyle said.
“From there, we really leaned into this idea of viewing Austen’s world through the eyes of a whip smart girl squad. They know they “have” to marry but they want something more.”
“The national search for everyone’s favourite enemies-to-lovers Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy led us to two Queenslanders.”
“When Andrew Hearle (Darcy) and Maddie Burridge (Elizabeth) walked in they immediately brought this incredible lightness, comic timing and spark that just makes you fall in love with them."
Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said the opening of Queensland Theatre’s 2025 season in Toowoomba’s grand Empire Theatre is historic for regional arts.
“It’s important that communities across the state can connect with the high-quality work of our major performing arts companies, and Queensland Theatre’s production of Pride & Prejudice will make a significant contribution to the vibrancy of the Darling Downs region.
“The Crisafulli Government’s investment of almost $4.6 million in 2025 is enabling Queensland Theatre to create new and diverse works and take them on the road, attracting locals and visitors, while generating positive economic and lifestyle outcomes for the community,” Minister Langbroek said.
The Empire General Manager Giuliana Bonel described the debut as a transformative milestone for the regional theatre.
This isn’t just another performance – it’s a moment in history for Toowoomba and Queensland Theatre. For the first time, the state theatre company is premiering a mainstage production outside Brisbane, and we’re proud to be the host.
Giuliana Bonel - General Manager, The Empire
“The Empire Theatre has long been a beacon for storytelling and creativity. This inaugural partnership with Queensland Theatre perfectly embodies our commitment to showcasing world-class productions while celebrating our community’s vibrant cultural legacy," she said.
#What’s New
The Empire has revealed the impressive lineup of 21 local performers set to bring the globally celebrated musical Come From Away to life this March.
After four sold-out shows in September of this year, Theatre of Magic is returning by popular demand to The Empire for a six-month series of performances.
The Empire Foundation has continued their commitment to supporting and nurturing the young performers of the region with the presentation of the 2024 Empire Youth Bursaries.
The Southern Queensland Regional Arts Services Network (RASN) will shine a light on talented artists across Southern Queensland with the creation of a high-quality publication aimed at celebrating the spirit and stories of Southern Queensland art and culture.
A remarkable true story of unity, humanity and hope lands on The Empire stage when Tony and Olivier Award-winning hit Broadway musical Come From Away performs from 14 – 23 March 2025.
The Empire’s popular family festival Thrive on Arts will return from September 26-29, celebrating all things nature and the environment.
