Theatre / Promise and Promiscuity, Penny Ashton. At The Street Theatre. Until May 24. Reviewed by ALANNA MACLEAN.

This is a lively and knowledgeable gallop around the world of Jane Austen done by one performer (Penny Ashton) equipped with some basic Regency costume and a scattering of props and period furniture.

Out of this is conjured up a world not too far from that of Jane Austen’s novels and Jane Austen herself.

It’s exceedingly playful stuff with a sensible Austen heroine at its centre who is surrounded by unsuitable suitors, a young and feckless sister, and a mother who wants her daughters married off.

We think the father is dead and the women therefore obliged to marry well to survive since inheritance favours the male. Shades of the Mr Collins debacle.

I say “we think” because all of this is happening at speed, with frequent changes of character, breaking into song and a tendency toward the odd anachronism. It’s tricky to keep up.

Yet sensible Elspeth is writing a pirate romance of some sort, under a male pseudonym. Perhaps it will all turn out well.

Meantime, there are old ladies and their opinions to survive, suitors to evaluate and refuse and surprisingly anachronistic songs to be sung. Men in the audience are even in danger of participation in dancing as Elspeth works out how best to live her life in a society that gives women few real rights.

It’s fun, it’s thought provoking and it pays an enjoyable tribute to Austen and her world. There’s even ukulele playing.

A solid audience on Saturday night who knew their Austen took in all in their stride and had a very enjoyable time.

Mr Darcy’s niece (sort of) has the word on Jane