By Neil Batra
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s production of The Complete Works of Jane Austen (Abridged) is fast, self-aware, and consistently funny without losing sight of why people care about these stories. Jasimine Bouldin and Hannah Gregory appear as versions of themselves rather than disappearing into Austen’s world, establishing the playful approach that carries throughout. The premise is simple: a trio attempting to tackle Austen’s most recognizable novels.
The Adaptation
Written by Jessica Bedford, Kathryn MacMillan, Charlotte Northeast, and Meghan Winch, and directed by Jenny Lavery, the adaptation moves quickly through Jane Austen’s six novels, including Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park, and Persuasion. It’s less interested in faithfully retelling them than in showing why people still connect with these stories.
The pacing is relentless, scenes flip rapidly and the way the stories are told shifts from one section to the next, creating the sense that the audience is being guided through a highlight reel rather than a lesson. The show doesn’t ask you to track every plot point; it asks you to enjoy the ride and leave curious enough to revisit the source material.
With a bright and beautiful scenery by Gabby Trice, Rainy Edwards’ period appropriate costumes, colorful lighting by S. Elliott, and clever props by Traci Listo the show is also visually pleasing. Stage Manager Jenna Worden and ASM Cassidy Stone keep everything running smoothly in this fast paced show.
Dynamic Trio
The performances are what hold everything together. Bouldin and Gregory have an immediate chemistry, playing off each other with a rhythm that feels both competitive and collaborative. Their ongoing debate over which book deserves the most attention gives the story a throughline and keeps it from feeling like a collection of disconnected sketches.
When Patrick Earl Phillips joins them, the audience gains a new perspective through someone discovering Austen alongside them. His presence serves as an entry point for anyone unfamiliar with Austen, allowing them to discover her appeal in real time.
Each section approaches the material differently, keeping the performance from feeling repetitive. The trio keep finding new ways to approach each section, keeping the energy moving throughout. Physical comedy is a major part of what makes it work, but the humor also comes from the unexpected ways they bring these stories to life. The laughter rarely lets up, and Bouldin, Gregory, and Phillips have the audience in the palm of their hands from beginning to end.
Bottom Line: Highly Recommended
Beyond the comedy, one of the biggest strengths is how approachable these stories feel. There is a clear effort to make them inviting whether you already love Austen or have never read her work. By the end, the pace slows down just enough to remind us why these books have remained so beloved and why audiences continue returning to them. The earlier debate over which novel deserves the most attention becomes less important than the appreciation behind it.
This isn’t meant to give you a complete understanding of Austen’s writing. Instead, it sparks curiosity and leaves you wanting more. The Complete Works of Jane Austen (Abridged) at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is a strong choice for Austen fans and anyone looking for a comedy that rewards both familiarity and curiosity.
Run dates: July 31 – August 23, 2026
Run time: 100 minutes, no intermission
Purchase Tickets Here
Neil Batra is a Cincinnati-based theatre artist, director, and producer who returned home after six years in Baltimore, where he worked as a clinical researcher. He is the Director of OTRimprov and the Improv Festival of Cincinnati. Over the past decade, he has worked across many areas of theatre, including stage management, house management, technical roles, and the occasional bartending at Know Theatre. His experience on both sides of the curtain shapes how he approaches and writes about performance.
