Before the sold-out success of Sense & Sensibility and Promise & Promiscuity, there was Austen Found - the completely improvised Jane Austen musical that first delighted audiences at the New Zealand Improv Festival in 2008. Join acclaimed performers and directors Penny Ashton and Lori Dungey as they share the story behind this beloved production, its enduring appeal, and the joy of creating Austen-inspired theatre without a script. Together, they will reflect on their long creative partnership, the art of improvisation, and the challenges and surprises of bringing Austen's world to life on stage. Audiences will gain an insider's perspective on the development of Austen Found and the wider world of improvised performance. Expect lively conversation, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and plenty of Regency-inspired humour. Whether you're devoted to Darcy, enchanted by Austen, or simply curious about the magic of improv, this promises to be an entertaining and insightful event.
Following the talk, attendees are warmly encouraged to head straight to Circa Theatre should they wish to experience the full production. As a special treat, simply show your Friends of Te Papa booking confirmation at Chouchou to enjoy a complimentary drink of your choice* before the performance, a perfect way to continue the conversation.
*Standard house wine, beer or soft drink only, 1x per person, must be of 18 years or older.
Friends of Circa are welcome to purchase a Friends member ticket below.
Please note: tickets to the Austen Found performance must be booked separately through Circa Theatre.
Penny Ashton, better known as the irrepressible Ms Hot Pink, is an award-winning New Zealand performer, poet, comedian, actor, MC, broadcaster, celebrant and social commentator renowned for her wit, literary flair and larger-than-life stage presence. Based in Auckland, she has toured internationally for more than two decades, performing at major festivals around the world and earning acclaim for her unique blend of comedy, poetry and storytelling. Penny is the creator of the global hit Hot Pink Bits and a series of celebrated literary solo shows inspired by the works of Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare. Whether on stage, television, radio or at the helm of a wedding ceremony, she brings intelligence, humour, warmth and a healthy dose of pink-powered glamour to every audience. Since 2013 Penny has been touring her literary solo shows; Promise and Promiscuity: A New Musical by Jane Austen and Penny Ashton, Olive Copperbottom: A Dickensian Tale of Love, Gin and the Pox, and The Tempestuous: A Shrew’d New Comedy by Will Shakespeare and Penny Ashton, gaining sold out houses, awards and air miles as she goes.
Lori Dungey is an award-winning improviser, actor, director and educator with more than 30 years of experience in improvised theatre across New Zealand and internationally. A former Artistic Director of The Improvisors in Wellington and now Creative Director at ConArtists in Auckland, she leads corporate training and entertainment programmes while mentoring the next generation of performers through the Theatresports Youth Programme. A two-time international Theatresports champion, Lori has performed and taught around the world, appearing in acclaimed productions including Suspect, Austen Found: The Undiscovered Musicals of Jane Austen, and Enid Untold: Five Go Mad on Improv. She is a world-famous Hobbit and was in Sweet Tooth and M3GAN.