Tales of a Jane Austen Spinster, The Courtyard Theatre
We’re now into the second half of our month long series of Camden Fringe 2025 interviews. More than 50 down, and hopefully still 50 more to come as we aim to deliver more than 100 to give you a fantastic look at what’s to come for our favourite fringe festival. You can find all our currently published interviews here.
When a Jane Austen heroine, unlucky in love, finds herself thrown into the modern world of dating, she must set aside her customs and expectations to brave this new world of courtship. But the unsolicited pictures and lack of chivalry may be all too much for her! Will she persevere for a chance to take charge of her own story and find love or retreat back into the safety of her pages?
We caught up with Alexandra Jorgensen, creator of Tales of a Jane Austen Spinster, to find out what to expect when the show opens at The Courtyard Theatre from 8 August for three nights.
What can audiences expect from the show?
Ever wonder what would happen if Jane Austen met Tinder? Well, that is exactly what this show is about. Tales of a Jane Austen Spinster follows Lilliana, an incomplete Austen character, who leaves the safety of her pages to find love in the real world. What she ends up finding is unsolicited pics, online dating and an overall lack of chivalry. Will she persevere or retreat back into her pages?
Tales of a Jane Austen Spinster is a hilarious look at what modern day romance has become. It explores the history of romance and the evolution of courting. It pokes fun at the trials and stereotypes of love in the modern world, but offers a message of hope and self discovery. It shows what is like to be a hopeless romantic in the real world.
Is Camden Fringe going to be the show’s first time on stage, or have you already performed elsewhere?
Spinster has performed all over the place! It premiered at Unity Theatre in Liverpool in 2023 and then went on to the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe. After a year of development, Tales of a Jane Austen Spinster came to the 2025 Brighton and Bath Fringe, as well as many London theaters, including Drayton Arms, Etcetera, Hen and Chicken, Bread and Roses and now the Courtyard Theatre. All in all, it has been a very fun, educational and successful run. People seem to be enjoying the show and I love to hear what people think.
The reason I wanted to do Camden Fringe is that I went to Camden last year as an audience member and I loved the energy the whole fringe had to offer. I love meeting other creatives and seeing all the work being performed. I thought Camden Fringe would be a nice way to end this chapter of my story (pun intended!)
What was your inspiration behind the show?
I became an official Jane Austen Spinster (I turned 27) and I felt like Jane never had to deal with the nonsense that is modern dating. Cue an idea for a show!
How long have you been working on the play?
It’s been a little over 2 years now.
Is this version how you originally envisioned it or has it changed drastically since you first put pen to paper?
The show is constantly evolving and changing. When I think of the little draft I created, I chuckle because it has become so much more and I am eager to see what it becomes.
What is it about your character that you most enjoy?
It is a wonderful feeling to create a character from scratch. Lilliana is a made up Austen character. That gives me the freedom to create someone truly unique while still have the guidelines of Austen’s real heroines.
How challenging has this role been for you?
Challenging isn’t truly the right word. Yes there have been obstacles along the way, but truly this has been a very freeing role. Lilliana was like a slab of clay that I got to mould and shape into something one of a kind. I have never had complete creative freedom with a character and she now holds a special place in my heart.
Being a fringe festival, we all know sets have to be bare minimum, how have you got around this with your set and props?
I have mastered the art of traveling creatively. My entire set and props fit into two suitcases that I open and set up right before the show begins. You can usually spot me wearing a bonnet with two purple suitcases on any tube or train.
What has been the biggest challenge in realising the writer’s vision for the show?
The hardest and best part of this show is that it is entirely from my head. It is the product of my crazy imagination. That can be a blessing and a curse. Blessing because I have no limitations and can just play. Curse because I can sometimes be too close to the project and need to step back or get an outside perspective.
How important is audience interaction to you?
I love audience interaction! Being that I am alone on stage, I rely greatly on the audience to listen and respond. When you have a great audience, this show just comes to life!
Are there any plans for what comes next after the show has finished its run – for you or the show?
My plan is to take the show to the USA and tour the different states. That’s the plan, but all real plans are up in the air. Should an opportunity arise here in the UK, I would not say no.
If your show had a soundtrack what songs would definitely be on it?
Fictional by Khole Rose
Counting Stars by One Republic
And any regency covered pop song (as seen on Bridgerton). The songs blend fantasy and fiction with modern twists. And the songs show the longing for something more.
If you could perform this show anywhere in the world where would it be?
The Jane Austen House– need I say more.
What is the weirdest or most unconventional prop used in your show?
Whipped cream. Not like that! I need a silly snack to eat on stage. I tested a few items, but eating whipped cream from a can seemed to hit with the audiences the most. And it’s delicious!
If budget or reality was not an issue, what’s the one piece of scenery/set you’d love to have in your show?
I would love to have a hope chest and some regency accurate furniture pieces to really sell the idea. I would also love to have a book of the story Lilliana came from, with artwork and everything.
What words of advice/encouragement would you give anyone thinking about doing Camden Fringe next year?
I would say to go for it. As someone who has a tendency to plan and wait for the perfect moment, I can say that there is no such thing and you yourself have to make the moment perfect. You will mess up and learn things along the way, but that is the beauty of the fringe. It allows to create in a safe space that allows growth and feedback
Thanks, Alexandra, for taking the time to give us some insight into your already successful show. It will certainly be interesting to see how it evolves further.
Tales of a Jane Austen Spinster plays at The Courtyard Theatre from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 August.
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