Austentatious: An Improvised Novel

If you are looking for something a bit different to do in Brighton this September, there is a performance of Austentatious: An Improvised Novel coming to the Theatre Royal. It is essentially a theatre show where the cast creates a brand-new Jane Austen novel right there on stage. They perform in period costumes and have live musical accompaniment, which gives it a specific atmosphere, but the core of the show is the improvisation. The entire plot, the characters, and the dialogue are built on the spot based on suggestions from the audience, so no two shows are ever the same.

The event is scheduled for 19 September 2026, with the curtain rising at 19:30. It is the kind of show that relies heavily on the interaction between the actors and the people in the seats, which makes the outcome unpredictable. Given the nature of the performance, it is aimed at an adult audience who might appreciate both the literary style of Austen and the mechanics of improv comedy. It is a straightforward setup: a cast of actors, a suggestion from the crowd, and a story that unfolds in real-time.

Tickets are currently priced at £20.00, though it is worth keeping in mind that prices for these kinds of events can fluctuate depending on availability. If you have been to the Theatre Royal before, you know the space, and this production seems to fit well within the venue's usual rotation of touring shows. It is a fairly relaxed way to spend an evening if you enjoy theatre that doesn't follow a scripted path and relies on the quick thinking of the performers.