Rachel Parris

My dear friends, it's time for us to welcome you to another 'lost' Jane Austen novel. It's been improvised from start to finish by the amazing cast of Austentatious. The actors conjure up the story from nothing, backed by fully improvised lighting, soundtrack and, now I come to think about it, our camerawork too. This is the third time we have recorded Austentatious, this time as part of their residency at the Arts Theatre in London's glittering West End.

This offering is Rachel at her best; a dazzling hour of her signature blend of stand-up and songs. As a comedian and musician Rachel is able to both entertain and engage with her audiences and touches on some of life's most personal and emotional moments but expressed with lightness, occasional acidity and often a catchy refrain!

Sir Tony Robinson takes a journey back in time to find out where Blackadder really began, and to uncover the story of the previously-unseen pilot episode.

Rachel Parris's comic guide to how women can get ahead in television "despite their bodies teeming with pesky oestrogen". Using a plethora of archive footage - some odd, some plain alarming - Rachel explains to women (and probably a few men) just how they can be successful appearing on, and working in, television.

An entirely improvised comedy play, with a cast who conjure up a 'lost' Jane Austen novel, based on nothing more than a title suggested by the audience.

Trapped in their office by a baying crowd from all religious backgrounds, a group of filmmakers contemplate a fictional short film they have made disproving the existence of God. As the crowd outside intensifies they wonder if it is just a film or maybe something much more important.

A ward-winning musical comedian and improviser Rachel Parris gives us her fresh, life- affirming collection of songs, stories and stand-up here in the live recording of her hit solo show Best Laid Plans. Reflecting on childhood hopes for the adults we thought we’d become, and sticking a joyful middle finger up at depression in the process, Rachel’s deft moves between jazz riffs, musical theatre, and the perfect response to that Flight of the Concords song, will have you tapping your feet as you laugh through the tears. Named The Independent’s ‘One to Watch’, Chortle award nominee Rachel’s songs are regularly played on BBC Radio 4 and BBC 6 Music. All together now: “No house, no husband, no child, no wage? No problem!”

Austentatious is an award-winning improvised comedy show in the style of the wondrous and witty Jane Austen. Every performance is made up on the spot based simply on a title suggested by the audience, so be it “Mansfield Shark”, “Darcy and Hutch” or “I Know What You Did Last Season”, no two shows are the same. Performed in period costume with live cello accompaniment, Austentatious is an immersive and hilarious treat for fans of Austen and improvised comedy alike.