Starring Rachel Parris

Starring Rachel Parris (Austentatious, Live at the Apollo, The Mash Report, and author of Introducing Mrs Collins)   

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen was one of the wittiest observers of human relationships, and female friendships, who ever put pen to parchment.  In By A Lady, two delightful actors share Jane Austen’s life story from Austen’s  own writing, woven with favourite moments from the immortal characters she created, including Elizabeth and Jane, Emma and Harriet, the Dashwood sisters, Mrs Bennet, and (hold on to your bonnets) Lady Catherine de Bourgh - not forgetting Mr Bennet, Darcy, Captain Wentworth, Mr Collins, and many more. 

Set against a sparkling musical backdrop that surprises as much as it delights, we invite you to loosen your stays, and enjoy this celebration of Austen’s wit, sharpness, and sheer delight in the foibles of human behaviour.

From the same team who brought Red Sky at Sunrise: Laurie Lee in Words & Music, A Beautiful Thread: Thomas Hardy in Words & Music, and GEORGE Eliot in Words and Music to the stage.

Jane Austen’s words are (respectfully) penned by Deirdre Shields, with music (mischievously) arranged by David Le Page (Violin) and Nick Stringfellow (Cello). By A Lady is (graciously) directed by Judy Reaves.

Originally commissioned by, and presented at, Stratford Literary Festival 2025.