In a Dark, Dark Room

Northanger Abbey – Remy Bumppo

One of Jane Austen’s lesser known novels, Northanger Abbey was among her earliest works, but was only revised and published after her death by her brother in 1818. The story has been enjoyed as BBC and A&E televised versions, and there have been several other novels inspired by Austen’s work. Most notably are an updated young adult novel called Northanger Alibi, by Jenni James, and Margaret C. Sullivan’s sequel to Austen’s classic, There Must Be Murder. However, except for Michael Napier Brown’s dramatic adaptation, written 15 years ago for the the Royal Theatre of Northampton, Austen’s most theatrical novel ironically hasn’t appeared much on stage. With Tim Luscombe’s new adaptation, all the melodrama and romance found in Jane Austen’s parody of the gothic novel finally sparkles on the boards.