Pride and Prejudice

ACT ONE

The various characters play a game of Blind Man’s Bluff. Four of the young women--Lizzy Bennet, Jane Bennet, Lydia Bennet, and Charlotte Lucas--are led, blindfolded, to the center of a circle. They stumble and reach for the others, trying to correctly guess whoever they can grasp. The game is fun for all its participants, laughing and encouraging the blindfolded young women. The first to correctly guess and unmask is Charlotte, followed by Lydia, then Jane as the others quietly leave the playing space. Finally, only Lizzy remains, still blindfolded, with Mr. Darcy. She steps closer to him and they both reach up to lower her blindfold at the same time.

The story begins at the home of the Bennet family. The sardonic Mr. Bennet and his oft-hysterical wife are parents to four daughters: beautiful, modest Jane; witty, independent Lizzy; dour, pedantic Mary; and silly, shameless Lydia. Mrs. Bennet is beside herself with excitement because Mr. Bingley, a wealthy gentleman, has just