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Austentatious: An Improvised Jane Austen Novel
The audience supplies a title, the company picks one at random, and six performers improvise a complete Jane Austen novel around it in Regency costume with live musical accompaniment. There is no script and nothing carries over from one night to the next, so every performance is a one-off. Past titles have included Bath to the Future and Mansfield Shark.
Austentatious is devised and performed by its own company, founded in 2011 by members of The Oxford Imps. The revolving line-up includes Rachel Parris (The Mash Report, Live at the Apollo), Cariad Lloyd (QI, Inside No. 9), Joseph Morpurgo, an Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee, and Graham Dickson (After Life). Winner of a Chortle Award and heard on BBC Radio 4, the show has held a weekly West End residency at the Vaudeville Theatre since 2025.
Audience Latest Reviews
Reviews Summary based on 29 reviews
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I laughed so much my face hurt! The show was a witty take on Jane Austen’s canon, using her typical plot twists and set ups, but improvised with a fantastic cast spurred on by each other’s inventions and clearly enjoying it just as much as the audience were - which made it even better! As an Austen fan, I could have been appalled by the liberties taken with her work but I wasn’t, I was enthralled! However, someone unfamiliar with her work would find it very funny all the same and have just as good a time. Improv is hard to sustain and the cast made it look easy.
Susan, 12 Sep 2026
Fabulous! Second visit - laughed as much as the first! Such a brilliant ensemble - witty, quick and so very clever.
Nycole, 06 Jul 2026
Unexpectedly brilliant What an incredible way to spend an evening; I was crying with laughter for most of the show and so amazed with how the cast dealt with everything. I will absolutely be coming back for more!
Eleanor, 27 Apr 2026
Youth and euphamism Stupendously funny
Leilani, 30 Mar 2026
Austentacious It was fun but was looking for more Austen and subtlety. Actors often laughed more than me and spoke over each other at times.
It was jolly but not memorable.
NIGEL, 02 Mar 2026
Schrodinger's cat and the chariot, a true masterpiece English is not my first language, but even so I laughed so much I had tears in my eyes! A company of actors with amazing chemistry, flowing effortlessly with the improvisation. Must see them again in my lifetime!
Lucia, 20 Nov 2024
Brilliant improv Great fun- a Jane Austen parody with a little bit of swearing. Excellent performances all round!
Mark, 02 Apr 2024
Creative and hilarious My partner and I went to see it, and we loved it! The improv of the actors is funny, and made us laugh throughout the show. I’ll recommend to my parents, and we are going back to watch it again next time we come back to London.
warren, 25 Apr 2023
