"Jane Austen in 89 Minutes" a Delicious Confection that Must Be Seen
Monday, February 3rd, Los Angeles, CA
written by Entertainment Editor, Dan Ruth
It’s been a rough year so far with national politics looming. Here in Los Angeles, we've also been dealing with the horrors of the wildfires, displaced residents who have lost everything; precious memories and material possessions, and now anti-ICE protests erupting on the 101 and in surrounding areas. Everyone has plenty on their plate to rattle them into a consistent state of unease. While there is no easy remedy for any of it, there is something to be said about the magic of theatre, where one can allow themselves to be transported, even if for an hour or perhaps for eighty-nine minutes, into a world that doesn’t involve tariffs, fear and dread. From this theatergoer’s perspective, that's time well-spent, it should be utilized and taken advantage of. Enter Jane Austen in 89 Minutes, a delicious confection, beautifully written and directed by Syrie James, and staged within the glorious walls of Greystone Mansion by Theatre 40 of Beverly Hills.
Jane Austen, to this day, remains a rebel in satin; evoking romance, intrigue, gowns, tatted lace, scads of melodrama, and scandal. Through the decades, Jane Austen’s work has remained wildly popular and her novels and subsequent films and television adaptations, well poured over, leaving plenty of wiggle room for not only retellings, but heaping servings of author deprecation. As much as it loves to bask in the glory of her major works, Jane Austen in 89 Minutes loves to poke fun and lampoon the stories and their pitfalls as well. All of this is much easier to muster when you actually have Jane Austen there in the flesh, and Branda Lock plays her to the hilt, displaying not only the charming wit needed for such a task, but with an incredible operatic voice as well.
As the show moves at a clip from Sense and Sensibility, through Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abby and Persuasion, Branda Lock acts as travel guild through Austen's written works while doubling as lion-tamer to her merry cast of Regency era stock characters. And what an incredible ensemble cast it is! Filling the Greystone sitting room to the brim with bravura affectation, each actor dashes in and out of character and costume, filling every nook, cranny and manner needed for such a feet, all the while possessing an undeniable air of control. Holly Sidell (Lady #1), Megan Deford (Lady #2) and Alison Blanchard (Lady #3), bring to life the major women in Austen’s novels, while Michael Mullen (Gentleman #1), Steven G. Frankenfield (Gentleman #2) and Todd Andrew Ball (Gentleman #3) finish out this stellar ensemble. I cannot stress enough, the joy it brings to watch a robust cast properly tackle period melodrama and parody, and with the help of clever props, sound effects and stage devices, they provide for plenty of laughs, with not a weak link among them.
Sparing spoilers, I urge you to see this finely-tuned show and there’s plenty to enjoy here, even if you’re (somehow) not familiar with Austen’s works. For fans, be prepared to bask in Austen-isms. Sure, when you pit them back to back, the stories are quite similar in manor and tonality, and you’ll notice character similarities within the works, but not to fear, they lampoon that as well. No stone is left unturned in Jane Austen in 89 Minutes, and I even learned a few things, as I was not aware that Austen actually paid to have her first novel published. Jane Austen in 89 Minutes is easily one of the quickest, most satisfying eighty-nine minutes out there. Go and cherish it, you're sure to have "a ball."
Jane Austen in 89 Minutes, performs through February 9th at intermittent times. For tickets and information, visit Theatre 40. A word to the theatergoer: be sure you properly map out the entrance to parking, as the mansion is open only for this event and it took me a while to find it.
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