Jane Austen is getting a camp makeover, and it’s just in time for World Pride!
Most of us are familiar with the works of Jane Austen, the Nineteenth-Century English novelist who wrote amongst others, Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park and Emma. In recent times her work has been embraced through popular culture including sequels, prequels, cosplay, video games and even porn films – for shame! Then there was the modern classic 2016 novel retelling of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
But adaptations, such as the 1995 film Clueless, based on Emma, and more recent 2022 gay romcom Fire Island, based on Pride and Prejudice, may very well have pleased Austen herself. One such theatrical modernisation is currently showing in time for Sydney World Pride – the Sydney Theatre Company’s Hubris & Humiliation.
Written by Lewis Treston, the play is an amalgamation of Austen’s various works, creating a delightfully queer story set in Sydney. A satire of contemporary life in the gay city, the plot centres around Elliott, visiting from the Sunshine State (Queensland) and residing with his wealthy uncle in Kirribilli. In fact, he’s been sent to his gay uncle to get dating lessons with intentions of finding a man. After losing money in a catfishing scam, his mother has sent Elliott on a journey to find wealth – and possibly some happiness. Very Austen like!
“I think Sydney’s gay scene is a really complex, interesting world that’s rarely explored onstage.”
For Roman Delo (BUMP), who plays Elliott, adapting Austen’s work into modern day society is something he feels suits well, especially given our current lifestyle and culture.
“I think when done really well, like this play is, adaptations can be quite enthralling to watch,” says Delo.
“There’s a reason why Jane Austen’s works are so universally loved. When a writer can take those incredible elements, characters, themes, and complexities and freshly adapt them to a modern context, it makes classic texts like Austen’s even more accessible and engaging to a 21st-century audience.”
“I think Sydney’s gay scene is a really complex, interesting world that’s rarely explored onstage in Australia,” says Delo.
“There’s a lot that can be dissected about the dynamics and reality of living in it, and it’s so very full of contradictions and characters. It’s a very rich social world for us to share with our audience.”
“I relate to feeling a bit overwhelmed by the scene and trying to find my place in it.”
Hubris and Humiliation, which is directed by Helpmann Award winner Dean Bryant (Fun Home), is set to be well-received during World Pride, given it will also showcase Sydney’s in-depth gay scene to an international audience.
“The atmosphere during World Pride is going to be so incredibly electric and joyous,” says Delo.
“The opportunity to perform for such a great company when the world comes to Sydney is something I’ve been looking forward to. Whilst I’m not as much of a wallflower as my character, like Elliot I didn’t grow up in Sydney.”
“I come from Darwin (NT), but I do know what it feels like to move from a smaller city to the big smoke that is Sydney. I relate to feeling a bit overwhelmed by the scene and trying to find my place in it. But while my family definitely isn’t as embarrassing as Elliot’s, I can certainly relate to the deep love he has for his sister and mother.”
“We can all relate to that feeling of trying to work out who we are in this world.”
The production also stars Mathew Cooper (City of Gold), Henrietta Amevor (A Raisin in the Sun), Andrew McFarlane (Grand Horizons), and Celia Ireland, best-known as Wentworth’s Liz Birdsworth. Melissa Kahraman and Ryan Panizza are making there STC debut.
Described as Muriel’s Wedding meets Kath & Kim, the story is a classic gay coming-of-age tale where boy discovers new love while also discovering himself. It has all the makings of a Jane Austen tale, and one can only imagine the real-life ‘dandy’ counterpart stories from Austen’s era. Oh, to be a fly on the mansion walls! Needless to say, Hubris and Humiliation has already been embraced by the gay, and wider, community.
“Aside from having a truly entertaining night at the theatre, I hope fans of Austen love how cleverly our writer Lewis has adapted her works,” says Delo.
“It’s written to a modern Aussie context, and I hope audiences enjoy joining this coming-of-age journey with Elliot. I think we can all relate to that feeling of trying to work out who we are in this world, and where we fit in.”
Hubris & Humiliation is currently playing at STC’s Wharf 1 Theatre, Dawes Point
For more visit: sydneytheatre.com.au
