Austentatious remains one of the sharpest improv shows on the British circuit, consistently funny, impressively slick and a reliably excellent night out.
Austentatious, the much-loved British institution of improvised comedy and theatrical silliness, is now in its 14th year and marking the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth.
We attended on a night featuring Stephen Mangan as the guest star and honestly could not have picked a better date. Mangan slipped seamlessly into the experienced cast and delivered some of the most memorable moments of the evening, including the immortal naming of Felicity Cockblock, a steady stream of ball-based jokes and an enthusiastic jig. He was an absolute highlight and if this is anything to go by, other special guests Mel Giedroyc and Paterson Joseph were surely just as strong.
Austentatious is exactly what it promises. An extravagant, knowingly ostentatious performance blending Austen-esque storytelling, classic British humour and genuinely top tier improvisation. Improv shows can often sag under the weight of indulgent sketches that add little and test an audience’s patience, but this cast are masters of keeping things tight. Scenes are neatly wrapped up before they overstay their welcome and the pace rarely falters.
Much of what makes Austentatious sing is the chemistry between the performers and the visible joy they take in building a full narrative from a single audience suggested title. The ending can feel slightly rushed, but given there is no opportunity to plan or debate the story arc, the fact they manage to land it at all is impressive. On our night, the absence of the central female lead for the second half could have derailed things entirely, yet a fellow cast member stepped in and integrated into the plot effortlessly despite missing the entire first act set up.
As my guest neatly put it, this is a perfect show to gift friends or family. The showmanship is exceptional, with improvised lighting, live music and a violinist on stage supporting the action beautifully. The humour is clever, accessible and just the right side of lewd, which reliably wins over the whole room.
Austentatious returns to the Vaudeville Theatre for several dates across the first half of 2026 and it remains an easy recommendation for anyone in need of a guaranteed good night out.