The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged

Synopsis and Details

Two women and a man in regency dress in front of a gilded mirror. The woman in front, in blue, holds out her arms and speaks intensely.

Synopsis:
Come along for a fun, funny, and fast-paced romp through the masterpieces of Jane Austen with The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged. Three nimble actors take on all of Austen’s beloved heroines, friends, and love interests—and her incisive social satire—in just 80 minutes. It is a truth universally acknowledged that an audience in
possession of high spirits must be in want of a ticket to this big-hearted comedy that will delight Janeites and newcomers alike.

Genre:
Comedy

Cast Size:
3 (2W, 1M)

Additional Notes:
Just like the character names (“Jessica”, “Charlotte” and “Trevor”), there are several references to where the play was written (Philadelphia and surrounding areas). Subsequent productions may identify and change such references as they see fit. If in doubt about a particular reference, please contact the Creative Team.

The audience is an active participant in the show and, wherever possible, brought into the action as much as they will allow. This is not a show for a space where the performers and audience can’t see each other or join in the enjoyment that is Austen’s work.

Development History

The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged was developed through a series of group meetings (over wine and cheese) interspersed with solo writings by Jessica Bedford, Kathryn MacMillan, Charlotte Northeast, and Meghan Winch starting in the Summer of 2018. It received one in-house reading prior to the beginning of rehearsal in May of 2019 (during which it underwent further revision).

The show premiered at The Physick House in Philadelphia, PA, produced by Tiny Dynamite. It ran from May 29 – June 16, 2019. The entire run was sold out prior to first preview. It was directed by Kathryn MacMillan and featured Jessica Bedford, Trevor Fayle, and Charlotte Northeast.

Minor revisions to the script allowed for a second sold-out run beginning on October 30 – November 10, 2019. Performances once again took place at The Physick House and featured the same director and cast.

One newbie and two self-professed Janeites, through almost all means imaginable, tackle the entire canon of Jane Austen’s works – in just 80 minutes.

Synopsis:
Come along for a fun, funny, and fast-paced romp through the masterpieces of Jane
Austen with The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged. Three nimble actors take
on all of Austen’s beloved heroines, friends, and love interests—and her incisive social
satire—in just 80 minutes. It is a truth universally acknowledged that an audience in
possession of high spirits must be in want of a ticket to this big-hearted comedy that will
delight Janeites and newcomers alike.

Genre:
Comedy


Cast Size:
3 (2W, 1M)

Additional Notes:
Just like the character names (“Jessica”, “Charlotte” and “Trevor”), there are several
references to where the play was written (Philadelphia and surrounding areas).
Subsequent productions may identify and change such references as they see fit. If in
doubt about a particular reference, please contact the Creative Team.

The audience is an active participant in the show and, wherever possible, brought into
the action as much as they will allow. This is not a show for a space where the
performers and audience can’t see each other or join in the enjoyment that is Austen’s
work.