Who’d have thought murder mysteries, time travel and Jane Austen would go in a sentence together? Let alone a play!

Jane Austen: Private Eye was a theatrical delight. At first, I wondered how one performer could possibly carry such a complex story. But the moment Jessica Messenger stepped into the role of the titular character (along with every other character), my question was answered.

Jessica Messenger’s performance was magnetic. She pulled the audience straight into her whirlwind tale, shifting effortlessly between personas: the tall, suave detective; the trembling, grief-stricken friend; and Jane’s own irresistible charm. Her range of British accents was so convincing that I was shook when she slipped back into her natural Aussie drawl after the show.

The writing sparkled with wit, echoing the tone of Jane Austen's own literary style. Punchlines landed with precision, sometimes delivered with nothing more than a perfectly timed glance, and had me laughing out loud. The plot did wander into confusing territory at times, leaving me with a few lingering questions, but the sheer cleverness and imagination of it all left me grinning.

Jane Austen: Private Eye is a celebration of creativity, a reminder of why live theatre matters, and a joyful workout for the imagination. It’s theatrical brilliance that clearly resonated with everyone in the room.