Classic book brought to life on stage

THE Dorset Corset Theatre Company visits Exmouth on Tuesday, September 23, with a new adaptation of Jane Austen's gripping gothic satire Northanger Abbey.

The one-night-only performance at the Blackmore Theatre is part of a 28-date autumn tour of the South West that begins in Basingstoke tonight.

Northanger Abbey is the third production by the Dorset Corset Theatre Company and it follows acclaimed productions of Persuasion, also by Austen, in 2006, and Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy last year.

Austen wrote Northanger Abbey in 1798, but it was revised before being published together with Persuasion after her death at the age of 41 in 1817.

Dorset Corset Theatre Company's adaptation of Austen's classic novel follows Catherine Morland, who is hopelessly addicted to Ann Radcliffe's lurid and macabre gothic novel The Mysteries of Udolopho.

In Bath, Catherine falls for the witty Henry Tilney, whose family invites her to the dark and sinister Northanger Abbey.

Excited by the prospect, Catherine readily accepts, but her over-active imagination causes her two worlds to collide as fantasy gets in the way of reality.

Dorset Corset Theatre Company is set to thrill audiences with its unique performance style and live music, with all the cast playing musical instruments as part of the show.

There is some local interest as Kate Colebrook, who plays the role of Catherine Morland, was born in Exeter, and Harvey Robinson, who plays James Morland, lives in the city.

The cast also includes Kerry Steed, Helen Davis, Jonathan Niton, and Ed Burnside, one of the three co-founders of the company in 2005.

Ed is one of two directors of Northanger Abbey, and plays both General Tilney and John Thorpe. He said the show would appeal to the whole family.

"After our last Austen adaptation we had a letter from a family where the youngest was eight and the oldest was 75, and they all enjoyed it," said Ed.

"We loved classic adaptations but felt they had been a bit too long-winded in the past. We like shows to be an exciting two hours so they don't feel like a marathon.

"We try to stay close to the novel but it's a piece of theatre so sometimes you have to be a bit irreverent. It's in original dress and features Austen's language."

He said the company was looking forward to returning to the Blackmore Theatre.

"We performed there last year and the audience was fantastic," said Ed. "We are excited about coming back. It's always nice to go back to a theatre where you've been well received."

Northanger Abbey starts at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £10 or £9 for concessions, are available from Exmouth Tourist Information Centre on 01395 222299.