‘Although there have been many adaptations of her novels and one film – albeit a little bit fictitious – about her own life. I thought it would be interesting to look at the notion of this woman who is extremely well known for her romantic novels and yet she didn’t seem to have much of a romantic life herself’ says Rob Winlow, the writer and composer of the new musical play Austen. The show, which tries to tell the true story of Jane Austen’s life, had a hit run at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival and even performed at the Jane Austen Festival in Bath. It was well received by critics, earning four star reviews from both Broadway Baby and Musical Talk. I spoke with Winlow about how this show portrays Jane Austen in a way that is both fresh and engaging.

‘Her own personal life is very poorly documented really. We know that she had two romances and a third that we know very little about. A mystery man who was perhaps the most important man in her life. It is generally believed that she would’ve married this gentleman had he not died suddenly. She almost had to sacrifice her own personal life in order to succeed with her writing’ explains Winlow. However, as much as she was a successful writer, Winlow thinks that there was more to her personality then what we might realise; ‘I don’t see her as this amazingly witty person who was cracking one liners or coming back with witty rebuffs all the time – as you might imagine Oscar Wilde would’ve done. Although she did have a very penetrating mind and was a very intelligent woman.’

So what can we learn from this intelligent eighteenth century author from both her life and her writing? ‘Perseverance will win out and belief in your own abilities. We learn the changes in attitudes and society – and how hopefully over time things do evolve. We have more equality in society, particularly where gender’s concerned’ says Winlow, ‘She’s just as relevant today as she was then. They’re eternal principles really: human emotions, romance – life revolves around love, not just for family members but for partners. Also, when you read Jane Austen it is really surprising how there were so many modernisms in her books – a lot of her language is still used today.’

The relevance in Austen’s story makes the musical engaging to watch. However, the piece also uses other methods to make it unique, as Winlow describes, ‘It is an ensemble piece. The actors are onstage all the time and are doubling up and playing several characters throughout the piece.’ He continues, ‘The music is fairly simple – we have a piano to play the songs. Whilst they are not particularly Georgian pieces there is the flavour of that. It’s in keeping with the piece, yet also still fresh and pertinent to today’s audience.’

Winlow has high hopes for the future of the show. ‘What I’d really like to do is get it to the stage where we can put it on the road to small venues. I think it works very nicely with a cast of four, possibly with them playing instruments as well – so it sounds almost like chamber music. I don’t see it as a big show particularly but I think it would do well in smaller venues.’ He is also looking forward to the next project, ‘Having looked at this period and her novels in particular, I’m almost tempted to do one of her books – not Pride and Prejudice though!’

Austen is on tour from 12 – 27 June. For more information and their Kickstarter page click here.