Devotees of the British author Jane Austen's novels are called Janeites and whether you fit in that category or are a newbie to her literary achievements, you are sure to find much to savor in West Hartford’s Playhouse on Park’s current clever and charming production of “The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged.” Written by Jessica Bedford, Kathryn MacMillan, Charlotte Northeast and Meghan Winch, and directed by Kathryn MacMillan, it is making its New England premiere until Sunday, October 22.
The show is sure to delight you with visitations by characters like the Dashwood sisters, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Emma, Elizabeth Bennet, George Knightley and William Collins and glimpses into Jane’s six primary novels as well as her lesser known ones. Writing at the end of the 18th century, when women were forced to publish anonymously, Jane was often referred to by her family as “good quiet Aunt Jane,” she penned honest explorations of women’s dependence on men and marriage and their need for financial security, since laws prohibited females from inheritance.
Come meet romantic heroes who are charming but rakish and females who are witty and intellectual and forced to survive by marrying even if they would prefer to remain a spinster. The Regency era is captured on every page of “Sense and Sensibility,” “Emma,” "Persuasion,” "Pride and Prejudice,"“Northanger Abbey" and “ Mansfield Park“. Thanks to a trio of talented actors - Charlotte Northeast, Brittany Onukwugha and Shannon Michael Wamser - the words and deeds of Jane’s unique personalities burst into life with spirit and affection, in the drawing room, at balls, with dance and music, and with laughter and tears. Courtships are lost and rekindled, inheritances are won and lost, friendships are cemented and crushed, and we learn again and again that love is not a game and men don’t want wives who are silly.
Jane’s lesser known works are not forgotten even though they are not as thoroughly examined. Even when our heroine is threatened with financial ruin, Jane manages to rescue them from their dreadful state. Johann Fitzpatrick’s lovely set is an inviting place for all the action to occur.
For tickets, call Playhouse on Park, 247 Park Road, West Hartford at 860- 523-5900 ext. 10 or online at playhouseonpark.org/web2/tickets.html. Performances areTuesday at 2 p.m., Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m, and Sunday at 2 p.m. followed by a talkback. A Young Professionals Night will be held Thursday, October 12 with a reception at 6 pm and show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for ages 21 to 35.
Brush up on any and all of these still popular novels, many of which are now films, and enjoy the writing talents of Jane Austen. Come early and glory in the lobby that is stuffed with books, games, and memorabilia of this era in time and even pause to color a poster devoted to Jane’s imagination. Hold on to your lace bonnet and black silk top hat for this 80 minute romp into Victorian England with the no-nonsense Jane as your guide.
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