Kim Hicks's show Courtship can rightly be described as the longest running Jane Austen show in the world! It has enchanted audiences around the globe over the past 43 years.

In a period costume originally made by her mother (and thereby hangs a tale) Kim aims to create an intimate 'drawing room' atmosphere, engaging with her audience right from the start. Focusing on Jane Austen's deliciously insightful humour, she performs unabridged, familiar and much loved extracts from Pride and Prejudice, Emma and Northanger Abbey alongside lesser known gems from the minor works - which often come as a surprise to even established Austen fans.

"After all these years I still look forward to each and every performance" Kim says "which is, in its own small way, testament to the enduring brilliance of Austen's writing."

Kim is delighted to be part of the Fringe Theatrefest in Barnstaple. Having passed through on the train enroute to Bideford when visiting her Grandparents as a child and driven through later, heading for the surf at Woolacombe and Croyde, she relishes this opportunity to get to know the town properly.

Do join her for the show and perhaps even a cup of tea afterwards!