Masterful improv entertains audiences from start to finish in a boisterous lost Jane Austen spectacle
The Regency comedy improvisation show, made famous at the Edinburgh Fringe, is on tour! Every single show promises to deliver a brand new ‘lost’ Jane Austen play based only on audience suggestions. The performers are all talented improvisers with a confidence that rivals the proud Mr Darcy and a stubborn doggedness that Elizabeth Bennett would be jealous of. Performed in period costume with a wonderful live musical accompaniment, this was a rambunctious evening full of laughter from every corner of the audience.
The concept was introduced by a learned scholar with the audience spitballing multiple titles such as Death with Dignity and F*nnying About before the cast settled on ‘Alice in Spinsterland’. I was a little disappointed that they didn’t leverage the Halloween theme (the show was on the 29th) and was a bit concerned that the references to Alice in Wonderland would become a bit monotonous. The cast managed it well but I did find there was heavy allusions to the Lewis Caroll book and unfortunately for my companion from Canada they weren’t well versed with the story so it meant some humour was lost in translation.
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the show before in Edinburgh and can verify that this performance was indeed completely different – there’s no tropes (bar those of the Jane Austen influence) that were trotted out or rehearsed scenes that they desperately wanted to slot in. It’s truly organic, spontaneous and impressive improvisation that keeps the pace throughout. A small criticism would be the use of ‘flashbacks’ and ‘flashforwards’ – something I have witnessed before at amdram improv when I was at university, but to an unexperienced audience member it can feel a bit chaotic and disorientating if you’re not fully up to speed with improv etiquette.
At 1hr45 it was a fast paced ride and was engaging throughout. Best enjoyed with a glass of wine or sparkling appletister it’s a decadent rollercoaster of twisting turns and quick thinking. The ending was a little rushed as the cast realised the time but the show’s resolution was still incredibly clever – hard to believe it was thought of on the spot (but I promise it was!). True improv relies on the cast knowing each other well and being able to run with ideas and bounce off each other, fully trusting each other’s instincts. By this point, the cast of Austentatious are truly seasoned professionals so for a masterclass in improv and guaranteed giggles, find it at a venue near you!