A most agreeable coincidence doth presently transpire, for no less than two local establishments are engaged in the mounting of theatrical productions inspired by the esteemed Miss Jane Austen, authoress of such celebrated works as “Pride and Prejudice,” “Sense and Sensibility” and “Emma.”
Translation: “A Jane Austen convergence is underway, with two local theater companies mounting plays based on works by the beloved author of ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ among others” (courtesy Jane Austen Speaking Style Translator).
How this convergence occurred is a mystery easily solved. Dec. 16 will mark the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth. It is time for rejoicing by “Janeites,” a term used for her fans, with shows at Santa Barbara City College and Ensemble Theatre Co.
“Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley,” SBCC’s student showcase, opened last week and runs this Wednesday through Saturday in the intimate Jurkowitz Theatre on campus. (Performances are sold out; check for ticket returns at theatregroupsbcc.com.)
The West Coast premiere of “The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged” will be presented by Ensemble Theatre beginning Dec. 3 and running through Dec. 21 at the New Vic. Tickets are available at etcsb.org.
‘Christmas at Pemberley’ at SBCC
SBCC theater major Yildiz Soyal arrived at the theater with her hair knotted up in rags before the opening night of the Theatre Arts Department’s student showcase production of “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley.”
“We’re going for an authentic look,” said Katie Laris, the show’s director, a longtime faculty member and department co-chair, referring to a hairstyling practice that was popular in the Georgian era, when the play is set.
The annual student showcases at SBCC are always held in December, but don’t always relate to the holidays.
“It’s nice to do something Christmasy this year, and a genuine romance,” Laris added. “It’s sweet and fun, with a family coming together over four days.”
That would be the fictional Bennet family, from Austen’s beloved book “Pride and Prejudice.” The new play is set two years after the novel ends and takes place at Pemberley estate, where the married Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet now reside.
Written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, the play’s action centers on Soyal’s character, bookish middle sister Mary Bennet, who encounters an unexpected visitor.
“I was also raised in a family with a lot of siblings, but in a small town outside Stockholm, Sweden, so I know about Mary’s struggle for attention,” she said. “This story isn’t just about romantic love, but also about love within a family, and between sisters.”
Arthur de Bourgh, portrayed by Tristan Fleming, is a new character created for the play who connects with Mary over their shared love of books and learning. He’s an introvert, Fleming noted, but meeting Mary changes him.
“These are dark days in our world, with not a lot of hope. But one thing remains true: There is someone for everyone,” he said. “Arthur finds that love is so powerful that it takes him out of his comfort zone. I hope the show encourages people to think, ‘Maybe I could ask somebody out.’”
Laris said she has been struck by how well Austen’s work has held up through the years.
“Austen’s relevance is amazing. Mary is a bit of a feminist icon, and we lean into that,” Laris said. “She’s smart, precise and a real intellectual who asks early in the play, ‘Can one live a large life in the mind alone?’ We see she is lonely and longs for what she never had, in terms of her heart.”
Laris notes that the local chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North America has helped with period costumes and hairstyling (thus, Soyal’s rag curls) for the production. Society members also attend performances attired in historically accurate finery.
Ensemble’s ‘… Jane Austen, Abridged’
The Austen Society also has assisted Ensemble Theatre for its previous Austen productions, including “Emma” and “Sense and Sensibility,” and now for “The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged.”
It may not be a traditional holiday show, but as Ensemble’s executive artistic director, Scott DeVine, exclaimed, “Jane Austen is always holiday fare! It’s great for families, from kids to grandmas, and we’ve got beautiful dresses.”
The premise of “… Austen, Abridged” is that a trio of Austen fans are presenting the play, but lose a cast member, leaving the remaining two to give the understudy a crash course in Austen.
It’s a fast-paced romp, with scenes from beloved books interspersed with the behind-the-scenes plot. Expect parodies, physical comedy, improv, and interaction with the audience.
DeVine knew exactly who he wanted to direct — Robert Kelley, founder and artistic director of Tony Award-winning theater company TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. DeVine served as chief financial officer and later general manager there before joining Ensemble in April 2022.
The two share a natural rapport from their 15 years of collaborating, which included producing several Austen-inspired plays.
“We presented the world premiere of Paul Gordon’s ‘Pride and Prejudice: A New Musical’ just before the pandemic hit, then filmed it,” Kelley recalled.
“It’s still on Amazon Prime and YouTube,” DeVine added with a laugh. (Stream it here.)
In this show, each actor plays multiple parts, transitioning between characters at lightning speed. Roles are differentiated by changing hats, adding a prop (such as a parasol), or simply introducing themselves.
“The women sometimes portray men,” DeVine said, “because we run out of gender authenticity.”
The cast features Alyssa Anne Austin, Kyle Hester and Kirsten Høj in her Ensemble debut.
“They are beautiful, brilliant and funny,” Kelley said, “and they know how to play for a laugh.”
“This play can be an entry point for Austen; you don’t have to know the books to appreciate it,” DeVine said.
Kelley quickly added: “In my dreams, if you don’t already know about Jane Austen, you’ll be on your way to a bookstore the next day.”
DeVine offered a teaser.
“Look for a to-be-announced surprise during the run of the show that is sure to be enjoyable for both new and longtime Jane-iphiles,” he said.