SINCE graduating from the University of York in 2023, actress Georgia May Firth has taken a circuitous route to her making professional debut in Pride And Prejudice* (*Sort Of).
“I was a witch on the York Witches and History Walking Tour, a Victorian maid at the Sherlock Holmes Museum [in London], then very randomly I became a dog food salesman – and then this job came along through the grapevine,” she says, on her return to York for this week’s run at York Theatre Royal.
“I heard about this touring production and was originally applying to be an assistant stage manager, but I mentioned I happened to be an actor too and was originally hired to be a book-cover understudy to the cast as well as an ASM.
“But then ten days into rehearsal, Susie [Barrett] took over from Eleanor [Kane], becoming our Anne for this run of shows until Eleanor rejoins in the New Year.”
In turn, Georgia is now Susie’s understudy in a multi-role involvement that takes in not only servant Anne, but also Mary Bennet, Lydia Bennet and Mr Gardiner, and she is covering for Christine Steel’s role too as Clara, Jane Bennet, Lady Catherine de Burgh and George Wickham.
“We’ve been touring since the beginning of September – though it feels like it’s been years already! – but I’m yet to go on. So, hopefully in York, but also not hopefully, as I want everyone to be well,” says Georgia.
“I’m so eager, but the nice thing is that as assistant stage manager I get to watch the show every night, so I don’t feel too far removed.”
In Isobel McArthur’s audacious re-telling of a certain Jane Austen novel, the stakes could not be higher in the early 19th century game of high society match-making as men, money and microphones are fought over.
“To begin with, it’s such a well-known and well-loved story,” says Georgia. “Before I’d even seen the show, I was a massive fan of the book, and so I came to the play with a bit of scepticism as I thought, ‘I’m not sure I want to make fun of it’, but Isobel has such a sense of love and respect for Austen’s story from the beginning. So much heart has gone into the script.
“You can tell Isobel really loves the book, and there was a lot of discussion at the start of rehearsals about what we all thought of it, the love she shows for the characters, which has then built into the absolute chaos on stage that’s so much fun. The pace never drops. It’s a good two hours flat out but it feels like you’re only on there for half an hour!”
McArthur’s “party time” version of Pride And Prejudice is told by the servants, kitted out throughout in black work boots as they work flat out at each of the posh houses where high society passes the day fretting and frothing over match-making.
“It really lends itself to multi role-playing, with lots of quick costume changes – and those costumes are phenomenal,” says Georgia. “Not only are they so beautiful, but they also need to be able to whipped off and the next one thrown on. It’s chaos!”
Georgia has enjoyed working with writer Isobel in the director’s chair. “It was so special to have her in the rehearsal room with us, especially as she was in the original cast,” she says. “We’ve kept it like Isobel performed it, but she wasn’t precious about it being her play, instead treating it as a gift for us all to play with.
“It was a case of ‘what do you think your character would do now or be thinking now?’ It was such a lovely atmosphere to work in; Isobel was a lovely presence to have around and such an inspiration.
“This is my first professional job and some of the girls’ first touring job, and Isobel has made it so calm for us. For her to be there, making us all feel part of the same team, all on one level, all wanting to achieve the same things, has made for a wonderful show.”
Georgia studied theatre when attending Langwith College at the University of York, performing such roles as Athena in Athena, Teodoro in The Dog In The Manger and Martha in That Face. “I basically stayed with Drama Society productions [at the Drama Barn], rather doing shows with York companies, but I did do Stones On The River Bed at the Green Shoots festival at York Theatre Royal,” she recalls.
Originally from Frodsham, Georgia left York for London last year, and now returns this week. Will she finally break her professional stage duck on understudy duty on familiar ground? Wait and see.
Pride And Prejudice* (*Sort Of), York Theatre Royal, until Saturday, 7.30pm plus 2pm Thursday and 2.30pm Saturday matinees. Box office: 01904 623568 or yorktheatreroyal.co.uk.