Fri 14 November 2025 - Sat 15 November 2025 at St Bartholomew’s Church Show(s) at 7:30Show lasts approximately 90 minutes, suitable for adults and older children.
Tickets: Standard price £20, Pay a little more £25, Pay a little less £15, Concession price for under 18s £10
SPONTANEOUS PRODUCTIONS, IN ASSOCIATION WITH KIRKDALE BOOKSHOP, PRESENTS:
About the Show
A costumed, rehearsed reading of short, comic adaptations of Austen’s six novels.
You are cordially invited to a celebration of Jane Austen’s 250th Birthday this year to share in the romance, wit and charm of all six of Austen’s novels – staged in 90 minutes!
Performed script-in-hand by a professional cast, Austen’s famous stories are faithfully retold by Sydenham-based theatre company Spontaneous Productions as you’ve never seen them before. Expect a comically condensed, whirlwind celebration of her entire work adapted especially for a 21st century audience. With much switching of bonnets!
Adapted by our creative director Jonathan Kaufman, playwright Lucy Kaufman, script consultant Jane Walker, and members of our ScriptHub writing workshop, the short playlets will bring to life some of Literature’s most beloved books: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Featuring a cast of Spontaneous regulars, this highly entertaining event will also include a potted biography of Jane Austen herself.
Carriages at 9.30pm
TWO performances ONLY: 7.30pm, Fri 14 & Sat 15 November 2025
St Bartholomew’s Church, 4 Westwood Hill, Sydenham SE26 6QR
Please note performances are not suitable for young children. The show lasts approx 2 hours inc interval. To book a school party please email jonathan@sptheatre.co.uk.
Photos from our previous production ENDURANCE and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR DICKENS at St Bart’s Church by Mark Drinkwater
Book Tickets
At Kirkdale Bookshop: Tickets may be purchased in advance at Kirkdale Bookshop, 272 Kirkdale SE26 4RS, Mon-Sat 9.30-5pm. Phone 020 8778 4701.
Online: select your date below. You will be able to pay by Paypal or Credit/Debit card.
At the venue (St Barts): from 30 mins before show start time, subject to availability.
More on how to book
November 2025
Friday 14th – 7.30pm
Saturday 15th – 7.30pm
The Cast
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- ANNIE ALDINGTON
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- KATE BARRY
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- WILLIAM HASTINGS
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- JACOB KING
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- MONICA NASH
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- RAMIAH SMITH
Celebrate Jane Austen’s 200th birthday with us at Kirkdale Bookshop on Sunday November 16th – Enjoy tea, cakes, games, a quiz & more!
The Audience Reviews
Audience comments and reviews from previous productions:
- “We saw your impressive production of Endurance last night. It was the first time we’d seen any of your productions and I want to make sure I don’t miss your next one.”
- “A truly innovative and imaginative telling of the Endurance story. Very well acted, great interplay across the roles. Well done”
- “Spontaneous Productions is the National Theatre of SE26. Always surprising, always impressive, always entertaining.’ Matthew Sweet, author and broadcaster
- “That was wonderful! Amazing! A brilliant illustration of her life, superb direction” (Carl Packman, review of Eleanor Marx: The Jewess of Jews Walk)
- “A fascinating life, beautifully told! Well done Spontaneous Productions!” (audience comment Eye of Day: The Mata Hari Story)
The Credits
- Written by Darren Bird, Jonathan Kaufman, Lucy Kaufman, Ida Tidy and Jane Walker
- Directed and produced by Jonathan Kaufman
- Costume designer & associate producer Jackie Poulett
- Graphic design Jan Warren
- Photography Mark Drinkwater
The Sponsors
