“Jane Austen’s richly developed characters and intricate plots make her world an ideal setting for the art of improvised theatre.””
Ahead of Impro Melbourne’s fundraising performance for the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation on 9th April, ‘Jane Austen Improvised’ director, Jessica Pratt takes us behind the scenes of improvised theatre and the preparations for this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Like many people, my introduction to Jane Austen came in the form of Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle playing Darcy and Elizabeth in the BBC series of Pride and Prejudice. Watching a young woman hold such strong views and stand up for her family and beliefs was inspiring. Conversely, watching women sit around a lot and needlepoint, or paint, or giggle at nothing at all seemed quite comical.
As I grew older, so did my enjoyment of Jane’s writing and my understanding of her subtle humour – Mrs. Bennett’s hysterics, Mr. Bennett’s dry wit, and Kitty’s entire personality. I realized there was much more to these stories than the plight of women trying to find a husband. It is precisely these nuanced characters and plots that make Jane Austen’s world perfect to explore through the art of improvised theatre.
I first became aware of Jane Austen ‘improvised shows’ through two groups: Austentatious in the UK and Impro Theatre in the US. Both groups use the style of Austen’s writing and her world to create funny and heartwarming pieces of theatre that audiences adore. As an improviser myself, I find that the Regency world of Austen holds a treasure trove of characters and situations that provide endless stories to be told. Whilst working as a full-time performer at The Courtyard Playhouse Theatre in Dubai, I was lucky enough finally to be part of an improvised Austen group. Performing to packed houses each week, the genre grew on me and fast became my favourite show to perform. When the opportunity came up to direct Jane Austen Improvised for Impro Melbourne, I leapt at the chance.
So, what is an improvised Jane Austen show? In our case, it is a 60-minute, one-act play that is completely made up on the spot based on a suggestion from the audience. We, the actors, are costumed in Regency attire, the set has elements reflecting the era, and the language we speak is that of an Austen novel. The plot, however, is in the hands of the six actors who step foot on the stage each evening. We are literally writing a new Jane Austen novel before your eyes, six nights a week for a month!
Rehearsing such a show is quite different from how an actor would rehearse for a scripted play, as we have no lines to learn and no stage directions to follow. What we do spend a lot of time rehearsing is the world of Austen. We learn how to speak to each other as family members, acquaintances, or potential suitors. We learn how to hold ourselves when we walk and sit. We research hobbies and pastimes, how men and women would ride a horse or be introduced at a ball. We research and rehearse letter writing, letter reading, modes of transportation, flowers that grow in England, pianoforte tunes of the time, books and authors, poets and artists, drawing room conversations, types of dress fabrics, the dos and don’ts of polite society and more! By the time we step foot on stage, we are so immersed in the Austen world that we very well could be an unwritten character in one of her novels.
As an audience member, if you happen to miss the moment the title of the show is suggested by members of the crowd, it would be difficult to believe that our performance is completely made up on the spot. Not only is the atmosphere of the pre-show foyer garden party immersive, but the theatre itself helps to create the world of an Austen novel. The set pieces are simple but accurate and the costuming is familiar to those who have enjoyed watching films such as Sense and Sensibility and Emma.
It is then up to us, the improvisers, to create a fun, spontaneous, and enjoyable story – just like a good Austen novel. And we are lucky, as there are endless possibilities of storylines to keep us on our toes. There are eccentric characters, misunderstandings, moments of disagreement and light-hearted banter, as well as times of genuine kindness, generosity, and heartfelt relationships. For some of us who are fans of the era, this is a form of improvisation that allows us to live in the world we sometimes wish we could visit for a day or more. For others, this show has been like learning a new language whilst living in a new country – completely foreign.
So, we hope diehard audience members can forgive us if we forget to curtsey when a man enters or exits a room our pianoforte playing isn’t as accomplished as it should be for those of our age, or, more than likely, one of us accidentally says the word ‘ok’. But what we can promise audiences is that for one full hour, you can escape the hustle and bustle of life in the 21st century and be transported back to Regency England and enjoy a good old-fashioned story with heart and meaning and a few laughs thrown in for good measure just like Jane would’ve wanted.
We are delighted to be partnering with Caroline and the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation for a special performance of ‘Jane Austen Improvised’ on Wednesday 9th April, at the Impro Melbourne Theatre in Melbourne. It will be a fun night with Caroline in the audience, and after the show Caroline will be talking about her unique connection to Jane Austen, the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation and the global celebrations for Jane’s 250th birthday in 2025. The profits from the evening will be donated to the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation.
Click here for information and tickets about this special fundraising event:
© Jessica Pratt
Jess grew up on the Mornington Peninsula (in Victoria, Australia) with a background in dance and musical theatre. She spent 6 years in Dubai performing 5 shows a week at the Courtyard Playhouse and teaching improv to corporates, adults and kids. Jess is the creator of the sell-out Melbourne International Comedy Festival show, You Throw Like a Girl, paying tribute to great Australian women throughout history. With a Bachelor of Education, Jess has taught music, dance and drama for over 20 years. She is currently the Director of Drama and Dance at Cornish College.
In 2024, Jess directed and choreographed the Musical Theatre Guild award-winning concert: PLOS: A Tribute To Musical Theatre and was the co-choreographer of School of Rock, also for PLOS Musical Productions.
Jane Austen Literacy Foundation Community
Immerse yourself in Gill Hornby's captivating "Miss Austen" this March, as we explore the poignant story of Cassandra Austen—Jane's devoted sister and the guardian of her legacy—while the PBS adaptation comes to televisions around the world.
About the book: Gill Hornby, a Jane Austen Literacy Ambassador, weaves a compelling narrative that imagines what might have happened to the letters between the famous Austen sisters, and why Cassandra was so determined to preserve her sister's reputation.
Don't miss our discussion of Jane Austen's Lost Letter!
On March 8th at 3pm EST, join us for an enlightening conversation about this cozy mystery with a little Jane Austen intrigue. This special event is open to all FRIENDS OF THE FOUNDATION.
Whether you're a longtime Austen enthusiast or new to her work, your perspective is welcome and valued. Join us as we unravel the mysteries, discuss the literary significance, and share our thoughts on this remarkable piece. We look forward to seeing you there!
Click below to join the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation Community: