The stage is set depicting Jane’s home as it would have been during the Regency period, with a hatstand adorned with bonnets, a chaise long, a screen, a large chest, a writing desk and chairs and a couple of top hats. Credit must be given to stage manager Catherine Flower and sound and lighting Meg Doherty and Tim Saint.
The cast Bethany Cragg, Meredith Clayton and Kyle Jensen appear on stage dressed in full Regency regalia, (the fabulous costumes and props by Angela Clarke & Carol Golightly), who all gave a truly outstanding performance. They set the scene as a cast of two, as totally devoted Austen fanatics who’s third member has unexpectedly dropped out and as time is running out, they seek the help of the only actor available, who has no knowledge whatsoever of Jane Austen.
A chaotic quite hilarious dash through Austen’s complete work ensues. The characters directly address the audience throughout the play adding to the overall interactive comedic effect. Together, they enthusiastically discuss and celebrate the merits of Austen’s works and life, debate which of her novels is indeed the best, and act out fast-paced vignettes of each of the prized novels utilizing an impressive series of quick changes via hats and props. They portray her heroines, friends and love interests whilst adding a modern spin to it in parts.
The play conveys Jane’s perfect feminist witty observations of women and her ability to get inside the mindset of middle-class England during the early nineteenth century and highlights the financial dependence of women on marriage, focusing on the major novels Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma and including The Watsons and Sanditon.
The play jokily and teasingly focuses intermittently onto the two women who hilariously, keep referring to their empire line gowns which accentuate their bosoms and indicating how women had to attract a suitor to marry as a means of survival in those days. References to characters Mr Darcy, Mrs Bennet, Mr Bingley and Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mr Knightley and the Dashwood sisters are humorously included of course.
During the evening the audience were entertained, humoured and enlightened to the wonderful works of Miss Austen and I was impressed by the attention to detail and loved learning more about her novels.
A fabulous collaboration by all involved, thank you ‘Thingwall Players’ for yet again delivering a beautiful production.
This production runs from 19th-21st March 2026.
Reviewer: Jill Ollerton
On: 20.03.26
