As their show title suggests The Jane Austen Argument explore the spaces in the world we live in: the spaces that exist everywhere, both physically and emotionally, the spaces that define how we see ourselves and those around us. Tom Dickens and Jen Kingswell present a journey of discovery that is both amusing and haunting. It is an enchantingly scripted show with gorgeous songs that touch a part deep in everyone. The material is easy to relate to, expressing feelings you’ve thought and felt before, just much better than you ever could. Despite knowing that the show is performed many times over, there is still a unique level of empathy created by the actors. The pace is flowing and unstilted. The conversation seems spontaneous and original. The dialogue between songs is so well-written it feels like poetry, yet it does not feel forced. It is completely genuine, engaging with the audience in an intimate way. The music is stunning. Powerful and moving, at times hauntingly beautiful and at others laugh-out-loud funny. With inspiration drawn from every aspect of life the numbers are drenched in energy. They are dynamic and occasionally violate the audience’s personal space to fantastic effect. The Argument tread the delicate line between pretension and genius, occasionally coming close to the former but pulling back just in time. The genuine emotion expressed in the captivating musical numbers elevates this show from average to astonishing. Through their musical and heartfelt anecdotes, The Jane Austen argument delve into the depths of everyday emotions, examining them within themselves and encouraging the audience to do the same. They point out the space between what you are and what you want to be. This is truly an experience to savor, engaging throughout and leaving the audience gasping for more.
