HEAVING bosoms and bonnets are the order of the day, as the Regent Rep performs a sparkling production of Jane Austen’s classic, Pride and Prejudice at the Regent theatre on May 24-26.

The company were the stars of Sky Arts TV Channel’s Stagestruck competition, the final of which can be seen on Sky Arts 1 during July.

Pride and Prejudice is Regent Rep’s follow-up to their success last November with ’Allo, ’Allo.

Set in the early part of the 19th century, the socially-ambitious Mrs Bennet is busy orchestrating the matrimonial future of three of her five daughters. Society dictates that women measure success or failure in life by how ‘well’ they marry.

The Bennets are from a respectable, lower middle-class background, but Jane is already betrothed to the wealthy Mr Bingley, whilst Lydia has secured the hand of a former Army officer, Mr Wickham. Elizabeth, however, casts fate to the wind when she rejects an offer of marriage from the unctuous cleric, Mr Collins.

Instead, she sets her heart on this dashing, but arrogant, Mr Darcy. Complicating matters is Mr Bingley’s beautiful and vivacious sister, who has also taken a shine to Mr Darcy and his stately home, Pemberley.

Can their mutual pride and prejudice be put to one side long enough for Elizabeth and Mr Darcy to follow their true destiny. This elegant and stylish production is full of regency delights, desperate spinsters, embarrassing relations and cads, and plenty of bustles and bonnets.