FROM their rendition of Northanger Rabbi and 00Darcy to Pride and Predator, over the years the creators of Austentatious have played fast and loose with Jane Austen’s straight-laced Georgian world.

The award-winning improvised show, which will roll into the Arts Centre on February 21, hinges on a deceptively simple idea: audiences are asked to place imaginary titles for a Jane Austen novel into a hat. One is selected at random and immediately turned into thrilling play.

The sky is the limit as far as the cast are concerned.

“It’s the Neighbours of Jane Austen,” says comedian Cariad Lloyd, who created Austentatious: An Improvised Jane Austen Novel along with her five co-stars. “There is often romance, an intense gentleman who can’t express his emotions and feisty women who don’t want to get married. It’s in Jane Austen’s world but you don’t have to be a Jane Austen expert. We make it up as we go along.

“We’ve done 200 shows so we try to make sure we’re not too relaxed and that it’s not too easy. That’s the thing with improv, you want to walk a tight rope and make it a bit dangerous.”

Improv has been the stand-up’s bread and butter and the off-the-cuff medium which brought her acclaim at the Edinburgh Festival. And yet she never intended to become a comedian.

“I fell in comedy,” adds Cariad, who was nominated for the 2011 Best Newcomer at the Fosters Edinburgh Comedy Awards. “I was doing serious theatre like Shakespeare and Chekhov. Every time I did a play the director would say ‘You’re being too funny, tone it down’. So I thought I would do comedy.”

She has since appeared in shows including BBC’s Crims and Cardinal Burns on E4, but improvisation remains her first love. In fact it has taken over every aspect of her life. When away from the stage, she teaches it and indulges in more improv-eyeballing on television at home.

“Sadly my favourite thing to do in my spare time is improv. I’m either performing or watching it at home. There is a great show I’m watching at the moment, Broad City, which is from two improvisers and it’s produced by Amy Poehler. It’s so inspiring.”

This is perhaps why she adores the unpredictable live talent shows flooding our screens. But in her affections, she remains a strictly BBC girl. She simply “can’t bear it” the X Factor.

“I love reality shows. I watch The Voice, although I’ve gone off it a bit, and Strictly Come Dancing. You get such weird characters who choose to go on these shows. I love the awkward moments between the professionals. It’s hilarious.”

Austentatious will be at the Arts Centre on Saturday 21 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £14. To book To book call 01793 524481 or visit swindontheatres.co.uk.