Louis B Hobson's Promise & Promiscuity

Penny Ashton’s musical Promise and Promiscuity is more a homage to, than a parody of, Jane Austen. It’s also as endearing and witty as it is clever.

Elspeth Slowtree is a woman ahead of her time. She writes novels and newspaper columns under male pseudonyms and would rather remain an old maid than marry the snorting cousin Horacio. Her independence catches the fancy of Reginald Wrexham, the most eligible wealthy bachelor, and the stern, no nonsense Digby Dalton, But there are adversaries in the persons of Lady Drusilla Wrexham and Thomasina Jeggings.

Ashton has a stance and voice for each of these characters, as well as a couple more, and it is particularly hilarious when four or more of them converse, or sing together, as is the case in the big finale.

Ashton has not only written the script for Promise & Promiscuity but its original songs, and boy can she belt out those tunes. Ashton has a great voice and she knows how to sell the songs. Most impressively, she does it all as if it is second nature to her and she seems to enjoy the exercise as much as the audience.

Elspeth even selects a handsome suitor from the audience for her giggling sister Cordelia and teaching that suitor to dance is a treat.

Promise and Promiscuity is not to be missed. It is a breath of fresh air all the way from New Zealand.