Image: Jessica Messenger and Esther Longhurst in Sense and Spontaneity.
While the works of Jane Austen have enjoyed a renaissance through screen adaptations in modern times, from Colin Firth’s small screen Mr Darcy to the brilliant adaptation of Emma in Hollywood’s Clueless, her works tend to appeal to a limited audience in modern Australia. When it comes to the energetic romp through Georgian mores and life goals as presented by Jessica Messenger and Esther Longhurst, however, loud laughter is heard from all comers, whether familiar with the source works in any form or not.
The combination of the requirements of improvised performance and Austen-style storyline is deftly handled at the outset, while the two performers establish a warm rapport with audience members. Calls for information or suggestions on this occasion elicit the true story of a man’s long-distance courtship of his wife, complete with a self-deprecating punchline of failing to recognise her when they finally meet again in person. While not quite the small pieces of information that Longhurst and Messenger have been fishing for in their questions, the story sets up various themes and recurring points for the day’s performance.
With a light touch, the two performers create Austen’s Bath in ‘Albany-shire’, where Sally Green is caring for her aunt who is very old – ‘all of five and forty’ – and soon to die. Frail and elderly Aunt is Longhurst in a mobcap, with dashing transformation into relatively young Doctor Grey Tophat who comes to take tea in the parlour and enjoy the conversation with the only other relatively young person in Albany-shire. Long letters are written to a ‘Plan A’ suitor far away in London, although a later plot twist reveals that Mr Plan A is so exquisitely wealthy through inherited properties that he has never needed to learn to read. A ball, a horse ride in the countryside, and a pair of happy endings in Albany-shire combine to make this unique celebration of improvised comedy and Jane Austen a merry occasion.
Simple but appropriate period costuming is complemented by a rapidly exchanged collection of a variety of hats and other headwear to denote different characters. The free-flowing dialogue plays with appropriately Austen-esque observations on relative social standing, the urgency of marriage to an appropriately ignorant and wealthy individual, tea rituals and tapestries. Modern commentary includes asides noting anachronisms, life expectancy and potentially fatal medical conditions. Visual highlights, beyond frantic bonnet juggling in group scenes, include hobby horse capers, a jolting coach ride and moves pulled on the ball room floor.
Messenger and Longhurst are experienced performers and improvisers, who obviously relish the challenge of spontaneous creativity. They work together with good-humoured skill, occasionally creating difficult situations for each other but mutually developing a well-paced, albeit ridiculous, narrative. Their rapport with the audience is strong, and the stage seems a charmed place for the whole hour.
A recurring long-form improvisational wonder, tickets sell quickly each time Sense and Spontaneity makes an appearance, with many fans returning and bringing friends and family. With laughter filling the historic Guild Hall, this show is a welcome part of the Fremantle Heritage Festival.
Rating: 4 stars out if 5
Sense and Spontaneity
Created and performed by Esther Longhurst and Jessica Messenger
Guildhall Event Space, North Fremantle
4-5 June 2016
Part of the Fremantle Heritage Festival​
