Worcester Repertory Company Begins Rehearsals for Northanger Abbey
9 July 2026
Rehearsals are officially underway for Worcester Repertory Company's summer production of Northanger Abbey as the cast and creative team bring Jane Austen's much-loved novel to life ahead of performances at The Commandery this July.
This week, the Northanger Abbey cast has been hard at work rehearsing lines and musical numbers as the outdoor theatre production takes shape. Alongside musical director Alex Kraus-Williams, the company has been rehearsing songs that pair seventeenth-century melodies with original lyrics by writer and director Paul Milton. Worcester Rep’s Northanger Abbey promises a playful, musical, and just-a-little-bit-scary take on Jane Austen’s coming-of-age novel.
Costume designer Hayley Pursey has created a fresh, quirky take on traditional Regency attire for Northanger Abbey, offering a subtle departure from the style seen in last year's Sense and Sensibility production at The Commandery Gardens.
The role of Catherine Morland will be played by Charlie Fraser-Swarbrick. Julia Bentley will portray Eleanor Tilney and Mrs Allen, while Nate Harter will take on the roles of John Thorpe and Henry Tilney. Alexandra Whitworth will play Isabella Thorpe and Mrs Morland, and George Ormerod will portray James Morland, General Tilney and Frederick Tilney.
Jane Austen’s joyful romance follows the naïve Catherine Morland, whose obsession with Gothic horror novels fuels her overactive imagination. When she is invited to stay at Northanger Abbey, nothing is quite as it seems. Thankfully, she finds a down-to-earth suitor in Henry Tilney, although his unusual family may prove just as mysterious as her beloved novels.
Sarah-Jane Morgan, Chief Executive & Artistic Director at Worcester Theatres and Executive Producer of Northanger Abbey said, “It is so lovely to welcome a director and a cast of actors who have worked with the Worcester Rep/Young Rep previously for the start of rehearsals. It means we have started with such a genuine warmth and rapport already in the room that will enable us to bring Northanger Abbey to life for us this summer. I can’t wait to watch the rehearsals develop and the Northanger Abbey production come to life ready to share with audiences next week.”
Paul Milton, Writer and Director of Northanger Abbey said, “Northanger Abbey is a romantic romp, perfect for a balmy summer's evening entertainment. Worcester Theatres have a reputation for presenting high-quality outdoor productions (this will be the nineteenth) and I hope that this year's Northanger Abbey will add to their existing impressive back catalogue. As we rehearse, we are ensuring that the show will be fun, musical and fast-paced for audiences at The Commandery Gardens.”
Tickets for Northanger Abbey start from £10.50 for under-25s and £21 for adults. Flexi Tickets, priced from £15.50 to £23, allow audiences to choose their preferred performance on the day rather than booking in advance. A £3.50 transaction fee applies to all bookings. Performances run from Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 July and Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 July.
Book your tickets for Northanger Abbey on the Worcester Theatres website