Jane Austen’s World, Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond

12:04pm Monday 21st April 2008

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FOR two delightful, but alltoo- fleeting hours we were privileged guests in Jane Austen's World.

Manners, morals and music were three of the most important pillars of society life in her Regency England, a time where everyone knew their place - although, seeking to be upwardly mobile, not all were happy to remain on their allotted rung.

The complicated world of author Jane Austen and her contemporaries was brought to life for a capacity audience at Richmond's Georgian Theatre Royal by a trio of accomplished performers using nothing more than words, music and just a touch of mobility. There was no scenery. None was needed at this elegant Regency house party whose hosts were the delightful Jenny Agutter, soon to be seen in the new television series The Invisibles, concert pianist Diana Ambache and oboe virtuoso Jeremy Polmear.

The performance examined and explained, through the eyes of women of the time, the rules and restrictions imposed on them by the society in which they were required to walk such a straight and narrow path. In cleverly-blended sections of well-chosen readings and pieces of music looking at gender attitudes, diversions and pleasures, class and aspects of loving, the three performers held the audience enthralled throughout the evening.

Miss Agutter's clear speaking voice and the impeccable timing of her delivery were perfectly complemented by the vivacious performances of the witty and accomplished Miss Ambache and Mr Polmear, the latter's playing of the oboe and cor anglais as delightful to watch as to hear