Sabrina Poole
Playwright - specialising in literary adaptations
Northanger Abbey
By Jane Austen
Gothic novel obsessed, Catherine Morland, is swept from her quiet country home to the dazzling society of Bath. Fueled by tales of nefarious villains, brooding heroes, and damsels at the mercy of evil plots, Catherine reads menace into manners and mystery into the mundane. Can she learn to separate fiction from reality before heartbreak becomes her final chapter....
Casting
Written for an adaptable cast of around 17. The script intends for all characters apart from Catherine Morland to double either as other speaking roles of background actors.
Full role breakdown CATHERINE MORLAND HENRY TILNEY MRS ALLEN MRS MORLAND MR MORLAND MRS THORPE ISABELLA THORPE JOHN THORPE JAMES MORLAND ELEANOR TILNEY GENERAL TILNEY CAPTAIN FREDERICK TILNEY ANNE THORPE MARIA THORPE MORLAND SIBLINGS 1 -5 CHAPERONES 1 - 4 GIRL 1, 2, & 3 GOTHIC HERO GOTHIC VILLAIN VILLAINOUS MINIONS HIGHWAYMEN + OTHER NON SPEAKING ENSEMBLE ROLES
Setting / Style
The intention of the script is to be performed with a set that can easily and smoothly change between multiple locations. This script moves quickly (occasionally instantaneously) between dream worlds and reality. The most effective use of this is through lighting and sound.
Length
Full length, 2.5 hours (approx)
Features
Dances, physical theatre, stage combat
Rights
Starting from £30 per performance
Reading Copies
Digital reading copies are available upon request
Reviews For This Title
From 2026 Maddermarket production -
"The character and scenery movement was flawless, horror effects were timed to unexpected perfection, the acting was faultless and the script was brilliantly written" - Maddermarket Theatre audience member
Production Images
