Reviewer: Paige Kynoch
Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
Austentatious: An Improvised Jane Austen Novel, 13th August, 12:50
For the diehard Jane Austen fans, the casual readers, and the ones who, somehow, have never heard of her, you are guaranteed to have a cracking time.
Returning for its thirteenth year at the Fringe, Austentatious never ceases to surprise. The audience shout out the many, very real, hidden works of Jane Austen, such as Mr Darcy and the Chamber of Secrets, or, in our case, Fringes and Festivities, and these wonderful improvisers create a whole hour-long show revolving around one of the chosen audience suggestions. Every single show is different, creating a unique appeal that not many Fringe shows have, as you can attend as many times as you wish and still have a completely unique experience.
My show, Fringes and Festivities, featured the wonderful Catherine Sassoon, a hairdresser in Middlesex who believes a fringe is downright diabolical, but will do it anyway. The wonderful Mr Buckley stumbles upon her hairdressing facility and falls in love; however, he is already betrothed to a woman recovering from tuberculosis and cannot allow his feelings to surface. Involving a surprise Cockney gang, crotch-height chairs, and momentary arson (not real arson), there was no predicting what direction the show would go!
Having seen a lot of theatre, I have never seen improv on such a scale and done so effectively. The level of commitment and dedication to the bit makes it appear that a script or base guideline was provided, but everything is improvised right in front of you. The show is a masterclass for actors and theatre enjoyers, and is a light-hearted, hilarious bundle of greatness.
Located in McEwan Hall in Bristo Square, it is an appropriate venue for a show on this scale: intimate, but with plenty of room to accommodate the masses. The venue is incredibly accessible, as the entrances are on flat terrain and there are ramps available inside.
Austentatious finishes on the 16th, but regularly tours the UK, so there are always opportunities to witness this comedic marvel.
