Syrie James

🎉 I’m thrilled to share that my comedy, Jane Austen in 89 Minutes, is going Down Under! The international premiere is April 10 – 18, 2026, at the Elanora Players in Sydney, Australia. Woot!

If you’ll be in Sydney in April, here’s the link to learn more and grab tickets: https://elanoraplayers.com.au/

ABOUT THE PLAY: In Jane Austen in 89 Minutes, narrator Jane Austen and a madcap cast of ladies and gents deliver condensed versions of all six of Austen’s beloved romantic novels at a lightning pace, including modern day zingers about Austen’s fame, fandom, movies, and TV series. It’s my loving tribute to my favorite author. I’m honored to say the play was a hit when I directed its world premiere at Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills, where it won 4 Scenie Awards from Stage Scene L.A. including Best Director of a Comedy, Outstanding Production of a Comedy, Comedic Ensemble of the Year, and Best World Premiere Play.

🎉 More exciting news! Jane Austen in 89 Minutes and an abridged version, Jane Austen in 39+ Minutes, are being produced at a variety of other venues this year including high schools from Redwood City, California to Brooklyn, New York.

This play has had the most astonishing journey, from a fabulous staged reading debut of the abridged version at Little Fish Theatre, to a reading with a cast of spirited Austen scholars and plenary speakers at the JASNA AGM in Denver before 450 screaming Janeites, to its mind-blowing world premiere at Theatre 40 and reprise at Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the wonderful casts who have brought this play to life, and to the generous people who helped open doors along the way, especially Kathryn Farren Gallai, Holly Sidell, and David Hunt Stafford.

I love live theatre and have been involved in one capacity or another since age 7 when I saw The Sound of Music on London’s West End and was inspired to write my first play. I’ve dreamt of being a published playwright ever since, so all this is a dream come true for me.

Want to mount your own production or read the script? Jane Austen in 89 Minutes and Jane Austen in 39+ Minutes are available for licensing from TRW (Theatrical Rights Worldwide) and the scripts are also available for purchase at the links above. I hope the play brings you a laugh a minute!

Have you seen or read the play, or do you hope to see a production near you? Please leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you!

PRAISE FOR JANE AUSTEN IN 89 MINUTES

“Jane Austen fans are guaranteed to go gaga for Jane Austen in 89 Minutes, Syrie James’s deliciously clever retelling of every single novel Jane ever published.”— StageSceneLA

“Outrageously funny… with emotional depth and wit… a timeless celebration of Austen’s enduring influence.” — Stage and Cinema

“The broad humor is countered by James’s deep knowledge of her subject, which gives unexpected depth to this diverting and informative enterprise.’— Stage Raw

“A lavish treat! Roars of audience laughter coming non-stop… There is something delicious about the light-heartedness of this production, its whimsy and mischievous playfulness.” — Discover Hollywood Magazine