Austen Found: The Undiscovered Musicals of Jane Austen

“OOOOOH MISS ELIZABETH, DO PLEASE PLAY IT AGAIN.”

Addicted to Darcy? Lost all Sense and Sensibility? Bonkers for Big Balls? Well put down your cross-stitching and join Auckland’s leading improv troupe, ConArtists, as they swoon, romp, and pianoforte their way through an entirely improvised Austenian Musical. Charming suitors, meddlesome mothers, tight breeches and surprisingly well educated girls will all paint a vivid picture in song, dance and passionate hand holding.

And after a 95% house at the Adelaide Fringe Festival and a completely sold out NZ International Comedy Festival, we politely suggest booking early to ensure our dance card isn’t full.

“Jane Austen would be turning in her grave with delight…Rollicking good fun!” Rip It Up Adelaide


“Improv Comedy at its finest.” Unilife Magazine Adelaide


“Austen Found: The Undiscovered Musicals of Jane Austen is the good pavlova, the one someone has taken a few goes to get just right. The brilliant version.” Waikato Times

Bringing the Bennetts to life will be veteran performer Lori Dungey, world famous Hobbit and one of the founding players of Theatresports in New Zealand. Lori performs all over the World and has represented both New Zealand and Canada in international tournaments including the World Cup of Theatresports in Germany in 2006 and was victorious in the Improvaganza Masters of the Universe Tournament in Edmonton in 2003.

“Hot Pink” Penny Ashton is a comedienne and actor and has performed both Improv and her solo comedy shows (Hot Pink Bits, Busty Rhymes, Dirty Pink) from New York to Edinburgh to Ashburton. She too represented NZ at the World Cup in 2006 and at the Improvaganza in 2003 and is a three times Adelaide People’s Choice Award nominee. She is recently returned from performing her poetry at Glastonbury in the UK and reporting at Miss Universe in Las Vegas.

Nigel Burrows was one of the original members of ConArtists, and therefore brings 22 years of experience to his bulging breeches. Joining him will be Stage Three UNITEC student and High School Theatresports Champ Chris Neels and a charming Christchurch Improviser from the Court Jesters, Kathleen Burns.

Pianoforte virtuoso Robbie Ellis studied at the University of Auckland School of Music, and has worked in a wide range of theatre, from Greek tragedy to stand-up comedy via late Romantic opera and French absurdism. He is an award-winning composer, broadcaster and multi-instrumentalist. As an improv musician he has played in Melbourne and Rotterdam, and with companies around New Zealand.

AUSTEN FOUND: THE UNDISCOVERED MUSICALS OF JANE AUSTEN

Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre THE EDGE,
October 21 – 31, 7pm Wednesdays, 8pm Thurs – Sat, 4pm Sunday

Bookings 0800 BUY TICKETS or http://www.buytickets.co.nz/, Service Fes Apply
Full $25, Concession and Groups 6+ $20, Information: http://www.conartists.co.nz/