Austen
the Musical
By Rob Winlow
Directed by Timothy Trimingham Lee
UK tour 2018
A celebration of one of the greatest British writers, Jane Austen, Rob Winlow’s
new musical AUSTEN reveals the woman behind the words, and it tours the UK
from January 11 – March 29.
Following the bicentennial of her death, this is a portrait of an icon as a human
being. AUSTEN investigates the life of an author struggling as much with affairs
of the heart as with ambitions for her art.
By turns comical, tragic, and enchanting, AUSTEN is a musical that explores the
challenges a female novelist faces in patriarchal Georgian England. As Jane
struggles to be published, she experiences the pressures, pleasures, and pitfalls
of courtship with multiple suitors. The story remains resonant and poignant in
these turbulent times as the fight for gender equality continues.
Writer Rob Winlow says, “The starting point and the question we ask, and
ultimately try to answer, in the show is how come Jane Austen wrote so
eloquently about romantic affairs when she had seemingly few loving
relationships and never married?”
Edith Kirkwood (Peculiar Distractions, York Theatre Royal) features as Jane
Austen, with Thomas Hewitt (Fantastic Mr. Fox, Lyric Hammersmith & National
Tour) playing the suitors, and Jenni Lea-Jones (The Mikado, Illyria Theatre
National Tour) & Adam Grayson (Jonathan Creek, BBC) as Jane’s parents.
Timothy Trimingham Lee (Buried Child, Upstairs at the Gatehouse) directs and
Arlene McNaught (The Good Person of Szechwan, Bridewell Theatre) provides
musical direction.
Rob Winlow wrote his first musical when he was 16 and won the All England
Song Contest in 1982. Previous writing includes Armada the Musical, which was
presented at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
AUSTEN has been presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Jane Austen
Festival, York New Musical Festival and on a small UK tour. It was developed
with support from York New Musical Festival and John Cooper Studio.
“Rob Winlow has created a tale that will be magical for Austen’s many fans.”
The North East Theatre Guide
Tour details:
11 – 13 January 7.30pm
Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham
www.oldjointstock.co.uk
0121 200 1892
16 – 20 January 7.30pm
The Bread & Roses Theatre, London
www.breadandrosestheatre.co.uk
020 8050 3025
22 – 24 January 7.30pm
Mirth, Marvel & Maud Theatre, London
www.mirthmarvelandmaud.com
020 8520 8636
25 January 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Stamford Corn Exchange, Stamford
www.stamfordcornexchange.co.uk
01780 766455
26 January 7.30pm, 27 January 2.00pm & 7.30pm
East Riding Theatre, Beverley
www.eastridingtheatre.co.uk
01482 874050
8 February 8.00pm
Artrix, Bromsgrove
www.artrix.co.uk
01527 577330
27 – 28 February 7.30pm
Rothes Hall, Fife
www.onfife.com/venues/rothes-halls
01592 611101
7 March 7.30pm
Harborough Theatre, Harborough
www.harboroughtheatre.com
0333 666 3366
28 – 29 March 7.45pm
Chesil Theatre, Winchester
www.chesiltheatre.org.uk
07527 471539