Northanger Abbey

★★★★ “A whirligig of talent” The Observer

★★★★ “The joie de vivre carries us along” The Times

★★★★ “Austen would thoroughly approve of this playful adaptation” Evening Standard

★★★★ “A sweet, smart stage response to Austen’s genius” Financial Times

★★★★ “Fresh and incisive… exuberantly, unashamedly silly” The Stage

★★★★★ “A truly breathtaking delight” A Young(ish) Perspective

★★★★ “Thanks to Cooper’s tight, witty script and Tessa Walker’s fast-paced direction, it’s all fantastic fun” ReviewsHub

★★★★ “Clever, funny and seriously silly’ The Arts Desk

★★★★ “Engaging and imaginative” LondonTheatre1

★★★★ “Hilarious” LouReviews

★★★★ “a smart and playful adaptation, full to the brim with giggle inducing innuendos but also bursting with social commentary and real emotion” All That Dazzles

“A joyous must-see” FringeReview

“A brilliantly conceived and immaculately executed piece of queer and postmodern theatre. And a real joy to watch” Aleks Sierz

Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of any sort of … disappointed love

Catherine Morland (Rebecca Banatvala) knows little of the world, but who needs real-life experience when you have novels to guide you? Catherine seizes her chance to escape her claustrophobic family and join the smart set in Bath. Between balls and parties spent with the aloof Henry Tilney (Sam Newton), she meets sophisticated, intoxicating Isabella Thorpe – Iz (AK Golding), to her friends – and so Cath’s secret adventure begins.

Zoe Cooper returns to the OT following the hit premieres of Jess and Joe Forever and Out of Water. Cooper infuses the plot and spirit of Austen’s original novel with her unique contemporary voice, resulting in a queer retelling fizzing with imagination, packed full of humour and brimming with love.

A co-production with Octagon Theatre Bolton, the Stephen Joseph Theatre Scarborough and Theatre by the Lake