On a bright and sunny afternoon in Cardiff yesterday (Wednesday 30th July), the New Theatre was bathed in light – not just from the summer sun streaming through its grand windows, but the energy inside the auditorium. The afternoon performance of DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY drew an eager crowd to the theatre, and the warm, golden daylight made mingling in the foyer feel all the more festive (as they say in Regency days).
Adapted by Duncan Abel and Rachel Wagstaff from P. D. James’s novel and based on the Pride and Prejudice sequel, the production starred JAMES BYE (Martin Fowler in EastEnders) as Fitzwilliam Darcy, alongside SEAN RIGBY (familiar to Endeavour fans as DS Jim Strange), plus a stellar ensemble including JAMIE-ROSE DUKE, CELIA CRUWYS-FINNIGAN, PAUL JERRICHO, SAM WOODHAMS, DAVID OSMOND and MOGALL MASUKU.
The story unfolds six years after Elizabeth and Darcy’s marriage, when Lydia bursts into Pemberley bearing shocking news of a murder in the nearby woods, and suspicion falls on her husband, Mr Wickham. What begins as genteel Regency romance quickly evolves into a gripping murder‑mystery thriller, peppered with social intrigue and Austen‑style wit .
From the first scene, the staging impressed. The set cleverly transformed from an elegant drawing room to a dimly lit investigative office, then to ominous woodland, all via shifting platforms and evocative lighting. The transitions felt seamless, and the crisp afternoon sun made the colours on stage glow vividly, enhancing the visual drama.
James delivered a quietly commanding Darcy – restrained but intense, while Sean offered a measured and sympathetic Fitzwilliam. It was graceful acting anchored in emotional truth. Elizabeth (Jamie‑Rose Duke) brought warmth and steel, and the siblings’ relationships crackled with energy and believability. Supporting players, especially the ensemble around Lydia and Wickham, gave the tense family dynamics sharp life.
The afternoon crowd reacted visibly to the shifts in tone: gasps at sudden revelations, hushed tension in investigative scenes, and genuine laughter at the gentler Austen moments. By intermission, speculation buzzed quietly amongst us all, as we tried to piece together clues to the murder’s identity. The second half maintained edge-of-seat suspense, with pain, betrayal, and loyalty all playing out beneath the 19th-century veneer.
When the final scene closed, justice delayed but delivered, we all took a deep breath and rose as one. A standing ovation swept the house, and applause rang out across the theatre, a tribute richly deserved by the cast and company.
What made the experience especially memorable: as the curtain came down, several cast members, including James Bye and Sean Rigby, emerged from the stage door to greet fans. A number of audience members who recognised them from EastEnders or Endeavour were visibly delighted, chatting with their on-screen heroes. The sunlit streets outside created a relaxed afterglow to the drama they’d seen, cast and fans alike embracing a shared love of both classic literature and familiar television characters.
In summary, the afternoon showing of DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY at Cardiff’s New Theatre, was a compelling fusion of Regency romance and detective thriller. The stellar cast, especially familiar faces from EastEnders and Endeavour, brought depth, nuance, and theatrical polish. That post‑show meet‑and‑greet in the sunshine added a personal finish, leaving fans buzzing as they spilled into Cardiff’s streets. An afternoon performance that balanced elegance, intensity, and genuine theatrical warmth – highly recommended.
DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY is at the New Theatre in Cardiff till Saturday with performances at 7:30pm each evening and a 2:30pm matinee today (Thursday) and Saturday. For ore details and tickets go HERE.
