The Watsons
By Jane Austen, Adapted by Laura Wade
“When Jane Austen forgets the ending, the characters write it themselves...”
About the Play
When Jane Austen forgets the ending, the characters write it themselves...
What happens when the writer loses the plot? Emma Watson is 19, new in town, and newly cut off by her wealthy aunt. Sent back to the family home, she and her sisters must marry — and quickly. Otherwise, they face poverty, spinsterhood, or worse: a lifetime trapped with their boorish brother and his dreadful wife. So far, so Austen. But here’s the twist — Jane Austen never finished The Watsons. Who will write Emma’s happy ending now? Brimming with wit, mischief, and a touch of theatrical magic, this sparkling play peeks under the bonnet of Austen’s world and asks: What can characters do when their author abandons them?
Performance Dates
19th - 22nd August 2026 @ Brighton Open Air Theatre
Evening Performances (7pm, Gates Open at 6pm)
Wednesday 19th - Saturday 22nd August 2026
Matinee Performance (2Pm, Gates Open at 1pm)
Saturday 22nd August 2026
Ticket Prices
Full: £17
Concession: £15.50
Group of 4: £62