This September, Dyad Productions is bringing a fresh and delightful adaptation of Jane Austen’s "Lady Susan" to Sudbury’s Quay Theatre.

As an avid Austen fan and a seasoned creator with a deep love for Austen’s works,  Rebecca Vaughan returns to the stage with a show that promises to blend humour, wit, and sharp social satire. Having previously delighted audiences with “Austen’s Women,” Rebecca is keen to revisit the world of Austen in a new and exciting way.

In our exclusive Q&A, Rebeccaand director, Andrew Margerison speak about their inspiration behind choosing "Lady Susan," what audiences can expect from this vibrant adaptation, and why it’s a must-see.

From the intriguing complexities of Lady Susan herself to the relatable and timeless themes woven throughout the performance, this show is set to entertain both long-time Austen enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Join us as we delve into the creative process, explore the nuances of this witty Regency-era tale, and uncover the reasons why “Lady Susan” is poised to be a standout event at The Quay Theatre. Whether you’re a devoted fan of Austen or simply looking for an entertaining and thought-provoking evening, this is one performance you won’t want to miss.

What made you choose "Lady Susan" for this year's performance?

(Rebecca) I’m an avid Austen fan, and I’d been wanted to adapt Lady Susan for some years.  My very first show for Dyad Productions 15 years ago was another Austen show – entitled Austen’s Women, and I couldn’t wait to get back to Austen again! 

What can people expect from this adaptation of Jane Austen's story?

(Rebecca) Humour and human nature! I was really eager to show how relevant Austen and this particular piece is.  Jane Austen reveals so much humanity in her work and all the characters feel like they are so modern, whether they’re gossips or manipulators!  The novel is created entirely from letters, and we’ve used that construction to create something very funny, and something that audience have been absolutely loving!

(Andrew) Laughs, a cutting satire on the nature of Regency (and today’s!) society. As we worked in rehearsal and dived into the original text we found a lot of similarities with the current world so I think people will recognise a lot more than they would expect. And also more laughs, it’s a fabulously funny show.

Can you tell us a little about the main character, Lady Susan?

(Rebecca) She’s a recent widow who had to marry young.  She has a daughter, and due to Georgian society not allowing women to inherit, she now has nowhere to live.  However, she’s a renowned flirt (“the most accomplished coquette in England”), and has had to leave where she’s currently staying as she’s been flirting with two men in the household, one of them married!

So she has to go and stay with her brother and sister in law, who she’s not a fan of.  And this is where the story begins…

(Andrew) I couldn’t put it better myself. Without wishing to give anything away, I’ve always found the dichotomy of Lady Susan really fascinating, she’s difficult to pin down. As such it’s a joy to see and hear the myriad different responses to her from every audience, it’s always different.

Why do you think people will enjoy this play?

(Rebecca) It’s extremely funny, and a joy to see audiences really belly laugh at Austen’s brilliant creations.  It’s also very poignant in places, and is so different to any other Austen.  This really is Austen as you’ve never seen her before.

(Andrew) As Rebecca says, it’ll make you belly laugh and it will get you thinking. How far away from what’s seen as an outmoded society are we really?

How does this play compare to your previous show, "Austen’s Women"?

(Rebecca) It’s very different.  Austen’s Women was created from 15 different characters from across Austen’s work – some very well known, and some much less known.  It included Austen’s brilliant narrator from throughout her works, and told the story of all these women.  Lady Susan is based on just one novel that is so different from all the other works.

What is your favourite part of the play and why?

(Rebecca) I have so many favourite parts!  One of the characters, Catherine, is such fun to play – and there’s a moment of utter exasperation from her which always makes the audience laugh so much, which is always fun!  There’s also a moment I love when Lady Susan is at her very worst as a mother, often eliciting an audible gasp from the audience. And there’s also another character – Catherine’s mother, Lady de Courcy, who is such a Sergeant-Major type and is such fun to play!

(Andrew) I’m not sure I could pick! All the ones Rebecca has mentioned are great. There’s also a lovely moment in the middle of the show with a different character (Rebecca plays five roles in this, and perfectly too I might add!) who has a sneaky moment of manipulation which is always a joy to watch.

How do you make Jane Austen's old stories feel fresh and exciting for today’s audience? There is a perception they’re a bit old-fashioned.

(Rebecca) Certainly the characters in Lady Susan are very modern.  Even their turns of phrase feel very modern to say, and Austen has so much to say about women’s independence in this particular piece.  So many audience members have been in touch after the show to say how funny and relevant it is, so we are hopefully doing something right!

(Andrew) I concur entirely with what Rebecca said. And as I mentioned earlier, despite a certain opinion of the stories being a bit old-fashioned, watch the show and you’ll see just how (alas) similar things still are; we’ve got a long way to go!

Have you performed at Sudbury before? If so, what do you enjoy most about the Quay Theatre/ What are you looking forward to most about performing at The Quay?

(Rebecca) Yes – many times!  We’ve been coming to the Quay Theatre since 2011, and this will be our 13^th time there!  The Quay is such a beautiful intimate space, with great acoustics, and the audience are always so engaged and warm. We absolutely adore bringing our work there!

Any other information you’d like to me to mention?

(Rebecca) It really doesn’t matter if people don’t know anything about the story, or even if they’ve never seen or read any Austen before.  This show has something for everyone, and is a great night out!

(Andrew) Buy a ticket, you won’t regret it!

Lady Susan will be performed at The Quay Theatre on Sunday 8th September at 7:30pm

You can find out more or buy tickets here