Jane Austen’s most persuasive charmer is heading back to the West End. Adrian Lukis, beloved for his definitive portrayal of George Wickham in the classic BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, is set to reprise the role in his acclaimed solo show, Being Mr Wickham. The production will play for one night only at London’s Garrick Theatre on Sunday, 31 May 2026.
Setting the Record Straight
Written and performed by Lukis and directed by Guy Unsworth, the play finds Wickham on the eve of his 60th birthday. No longer the young officer who scandalized Meryton, he is ready to lift the sheets on three decades of "missing" history. From his own version of the fallout with Mr. Darcy to his true feelings about Elizabeth Bennet and his enduring marriage to Lydia, Wickham finally gets to tell his side of the story.
“Mr Wickham is back in the West End, among the theatres, clubs, and card tables of his youth,” says Adrian Lukis. “Spend an hour, if you dare, with Austen’s most persuasive charmer. Whether you believe him or not is entirely up to you!”
A Critically Acclaimed Journey
Produced by Original Theatre and The Production Garden, the West End premiere follows a string of sell-out runs at the Jermyn Street Theatre, Chichester’s Minerva Theatre, and a successful transfer to New York. The production features design by Libby Watson and a soundscape by Max Pappenheim that brings the Regency era—and Wickham's subsequent adventures at Waterloo—vividly to life.
Event Details and Booking
The performance runs for 65 minutes with no interval, offering a sharp, witty, and fast-paced exploration of literary history's most famous rogue.
Venue: Garrick Theatre, London
Date: Sunday, 31 May 2026 at 7:30pm
Tickets: Starting from £29.50
Booking: nimaxtheatres.com
For those unable to attend the live performance, a filmed version of the production is available via Original Online, featuring a unique reversed-staging captured at the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.
