It’s less than a month to the 250th anniversary of the birth of one of the world’s most recognised novelists, and an experienced Auckland theatre troupe will be treading the boards in her honour.
“On December 16, the world goes bonnet bonkers for Jane Austen with events happening all over,” says Penny Ashton, a long-time Auckland performer, comedian and commentator.
“We’re jumping on the barouche and taking Austen Found: The Undiscovered Musicals of Jane Austen to Howick and Pukekohe, as well as Waiheke, Devonport and Western Springs.
“I’m directly related to the man that flirted with Jane Austen aged 21 – Thomas Langlois Lefroy, the inspiration for the film and book Becoming Jane.”
Ashton’s a major fan of the works of Austen having done shows with her as the theme for 17 years.
“The fact I’m related to a man who used to flirt with Jane Austen is incredible,” she says, with her customary enthusiasm.
“I only found it out in 2013. It makes me feel ever so slightly closer to a woman who has actually helped pay my rent for nigh on two decades.
“Jane Austen’s not just ‘silly women’s stuff”. She was a literary goddess and smart as a whip and we love bringing her hilarity to life, with added silliness.
“Her relevance after so long is twofold – the search for love and security will never go away.
“We want love, but we want enough money for bonnets, too. Also, the plight of women not in control of their own destinies may have come a long way, but my word, we are not there yet.
“We’re all about spreading joy through laughter and connection which makes a nice antidote to politicians squabbling and global sh*t shows. I describe us as joy mongers.”
Starring alongside Ashton for Austen Found: The Undiscovered Musicals of Jane Austen are Lori Dungey, and musical maestro Greg Ward.
They play Howick’s Harlequin Musical Theatre on December 14, and Harrington Theatre in Pukekohe on December 13.
“We’ll swoon, laugh and romp through an entirely improvised Austenian musical,” Ashton says.
“Charming suitors, meddlesome mothers, tight breeches and surprisingly well-educated girls will all paint a vivid picture in song, dance and passionate handholding.
“Even 250 years since her birth, Jane Austen is still so relevant. In times of housing insecurity, gender wage gaps, egotistical men in charge and the threat of infectious diseases, 2025 starts to look a lot like 1811.
“We can’t wait to take our carriage on the road all over Tamaki Makaurau. Local icons get a mention in our show so come and shout out some local references for us to play with.
“The improv elements keep it so alive for us, and having Greg who is such a brilliant muso to back us is a total gift.
“Lori is also an imported national treasure. She has been in Lord of the Rings, M3GAN, and taught tens of thousands of kids improv comedy over 30 years in New Zealand.”
Ashton’s repertoire of Austen-themed shows include Promise and Promiscuity, Olive Copperbottom, and The Tempestuous.
Austen Found: The Undiscovered Musicals of Jane Austen plays at Harlequin Musical Theatre, 563 Pakuranga Road, Howick, at 4pm on Sunday, December 14; and at Harrington Theatre, 2 Harrington Avenue, Pukekohe, at 7.30pm on December 13. For tickets, see: https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2025/dec/.
