A whimsical window into the magnificent mind of Jane Austen

“Seldom can it happen that something is not a little disguised, or a little mistaken.” Jane Austen

By Jane’s Hand returns to La Mama following its sell out season in 2023.

Jane’s life was censored by the patriarchy and romanticised by popular culture. Why did her family burn her letters? How and why did she create? This new work from old collides elements of music and verbatim theatre within a dreamscape. An ensemble piece with three actors playing Jane and characters from ‘Pride and Prejudice’, this play invites you to immerse yourself in Jane’s magnificent mind; bringing what you know about her, her novels, and her meaning to the space; and maybe discover more.

This work has been created/curated from an intergenerational feminist perspective.

Text by Jane Austen

Songs and music by various composers chosen by Jane Austen, arranged by Emma O’Brien

Devised and curated by Emma and Olivia O’Brien of Seldom Theatre Productions

Performers: Isha Menon, Marjorie Butcher, Olivia O’Brien

Directed by Emma O’Brien

Set Design by Emma and Henry O’Brien

Set Construction by Martin Mason and Rod Connolly

Costumes by Susan Halls

Lighting Design by Hannah Willoughby

Dramaturgy by Draf Draffin and Henry O’Brien

Image by Darren Gill


Access Information:

Visual rating 50%: Events are partly subtitled or include dialogue, background music and/or sounds, so d/Deaf and hard of hearing audiences can have some engagement with the event.

Aural Rating 50%: Has both sound and visual components, but sight isn’t essential to be able to engage with the event.


 By Jane’s Hand is on VCE Theatre Studies, Unit 4.

More about La Mama Learning Program