Rob Bridges enjoys an evening of period silliness and creativity, along with the creation of a whole new Jane Austen story!
Austentatious came to public attention at the 2012 Edinburgh Festival, with queues around the block and rave reviews. Since then, the production has gone from strength to strength, including a long run in the West End and glowing reviews from around the country. And now, it’s paid a visit to The Forum Bath too!
The premise of this production is that the cast of six actors in regency dress improvise a new Jane Austin novel selected by the audience. First off, we were given historical background to Jane Austin and her love of Bath, how much she enjoyed the rugby and visiting the Jane Austin centre, plus an introduction to the unknown novels she wrote, with one of them being performed tonight.
Chosen at random from a suggestion from the audience, tonight’s performance of a Jane Austin classic would be Purse and Perspiration, with the cast of talented actors basing the story – as with all great Jane Austin novels – around a love story, albeit with a modern twist.
From the first minute of the improvised play, the cast had the audience in the palm of there hand with laughter ringing around the Forum. Early references included the the David Lloyd Heath Clubs, how buff the actors looked, the dealer supplying cakes outside the gym, sixth formers surrounding the house of one of the characters and the sound of owls coming from the audience.
Watching the cast think on their feet, bouncing off each other and laughing themselves at some of there own lines added to a wonderful evening of laughter and good clean fun. We also cannot forget to mention the pianist who played through the 90 minute production, adding an accompaniment of music period added to the experience.
Purse and Perspiration is now added to the wonderful repertoire of Jane Austin novels but for one night only at the Bath Forum!
If you have a chance to see this production, you will not be disappointed. Go in with an open mind and be prepared to come out of the theatre with a smile on your face.
For details of upcoming shows at The Bath Forum, go to https://bathforum.co.uk/
