Review by Mark
Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review.
Get ready for a night of laughter as the award-winning comedy phenomenon, Austentatious: The Improvised Jane Austen Novel continues to draw huge audiences! Originating in 2022, this brilliant show has been a West End staple, captivating audiences week after week. If you’ve never experienced the magic of this improvisational delight, now is your chance.
For one delightful evening, the all-star cast—featuring the incredibly talented Amy Cooke-Hodgson, Charlotte Gittins, Graham Dickson, Lauren Shearing, and Rachel Parris—will conjure a hilarious new Jane Austen novel, completely pulled from the imagination of the audience with a title suggestion. In our case, the title was The Lying Bingley, a name that promised mischief and creativity.
Rachel Parris, who was born in Leicester, added some cracking local jokes and references during the intro that really set the scene as audience members were encouraged to put their hand up to shout out their suggestions. Some were a lot more creative or detailed than others.
The performance, adorned in authentic period costumes and enriched by live musical accompaniment from the brilliant Yshani Perinpanayagam, this really helped drive scenes forwards. The wit and charm woven throughout the evening had the audience swooning and howling with laughter. There were moments that only those who were present will fully understand, like the infamous “oiled babies” scene (seriously, you had to be there!) and a sensational vogue-off that had everyone in stitches of laughter.
Austentatious is not just a show; it’s an experience that invites you to step into a whimsical world where anything can happen, and it will—if the night I witnessed is any indication. With a blend of sharp humour and playful theatricality, this production reminds us that the spirit of Jane Austen can be interpreted in endlessly entertaining ways.
My only niggle with the show was that the lack of costume changes made it slightly harder to distinguish between characters in the first half. Everything felt much smoother after the interval once the idea has been fleshed out. The show could also open up to a few more audience suggestions throughout to help drive a plot and keep everyone engaged.
With every show being unique, be sure you don’t miss your chance to be part of this comedic journey. Whether you're a lifelong Austen fan or new to her works, this show promises good fun and laughter for all. It’s a delight to spend a couple of hours with these masters of improv. Grab your tickets and prepare for an unforgettable evening filled with laughter and surprises!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Austentatious plays in London’s West End at the Vaudeville Theatre on Mondays in June and in the Autumn. The show also plays on tour. Visit https://www.austentatiousimpro.com/ for full tour dates.
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