Theatrefolk Featured Play - Instant Austen: Jane Austen at Warp Speed

Welcome to our Featured Play Spotlight. Are you ready for a high-energy journey through romance, wit, and charm? Then you're ready for Instant Austen: Jane Austen at Warp Speed by Treanor Baring!

Instant Austen: Jane Austen at Warp Speed offers a lively, modern twist on Austen’s six timeless classics. This is Austen like you’ve never seen before—playful, fast-paced, and anything but old-fashioned.

Perfect for middle and high school performers, these engaging adaptations breathe new life into Austen’s works, making them accessible, fun, and free from the burden of homework.

Perform the entire canon in just an hour, or choose specific novels for shorter scenes and competition-length performances.

Why did we publish this play?
We love plays that reimagine classical works with a fresh perspective—it’s a fantastic way to introduce students to classic literature. Treanor’s playful, fast-paced adaptation weaves together six Jane Austen novels, and each scene is more delightful than the last. Originally designed for virtual performance, the play transitions seamlessly to the stage. If you're seeking a lively production that accommodates a large cast and offers cross-curricular connections, Instant Austen is an excellent choice.

Let's hear from the author!

1. Why did you write this play?

I adore Jane Austen and wanted to share her with a younger generation. Her stories are surprisingly modern and the characters are totally relatable. But the language can seem a little remote. When I reread the books to adapt them, I saw that we say the same things, just in a different way. So I wanted to translate what I love about Austen into how we talk now.

2. Describe the theme in one or two sentences?

A recap of Jane Austen’s five novels told in modern language, and condensed into a funny, accelerated retelling.

3. What's the most important visual for you in this play?

The narrator sitting in place with a large book while the other characters race through the dialogue. Because the pace is so fast, the connection between the characters as they interact with each other is really important. The narrator is the audience’s guide, and a stand in for the reader. They offer a sense of continuity.

4. If you could give one piece of advice for those producing the play, what would it be?

Stage it in a way that suits your program. It’s been done with characters coming and going from behind a portable chalkboard, or as a full blown on stage ensemble piece. So go with what works for your students.

5. Why is this play great for student performers?

It has a lot of variation in characters, a few large parts, but also lots of opportunities for smaller parts, props, sound effects and other crew. Mainly, it’s fun. In the productions I’ve seen staged so far, the actors have really gotten into it.

6. Who is your favourite character in the play? OR Which character would you be in this play?

I put a lot of myself into the narrator: someone who loves Jane Austen and gets carried away with explaining things. I’ve also heard that lots of actors love playing Lizzie Bennet and Emma.

7. What is your favourite line in the play?

Last line of the play: “Cake is always a good idea.”