As Jane Austen might tell it, and similarly, as “Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility” adapted by Jessica Swale, infers, there’s many a slip ‘twixt nuptials and a walk down the matrimonial aisle.

The era for the real housewives and bachelorettes of 1800s’ England, which is the setting for “Sense and Sensibility,” was way more civilized than, say, the time of Henry VIII (1491 - 1547) and the fates of his six serial significant others.

One night make the case that the times of “Sense and Sensibility” are more civilized than that of, for instance, “The Bachelorette” (2003 - present). To put a finer point on it, “Sense and Sensibility” could be dubbed “No Sex and The City.”

Even so, knives are out, albeit, they are daggers of words, in “Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility,” through Aug. 5, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Main Stage, Labuda Center for the Arts, DeSales University. The July 22 opening night performance was seen for this review.

And what words they are in Swale’s script of the 1811 novel. The words are, by turns, elegant, witty, scathing and hilarious. “Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility” is a romantic comedy that is laugh-out-loud funny from start to finish, and with an emotional tug at heart at its conclusion.

In “Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility,” Mrs. Dashwood (Gina Lamparella) presides over a brood of three daughters: Elinor Dashwood (Sarah Gliko), Marianne Dashwood (Arrianna Daniels) and Margaret Dashwood (Nicole Lawrie).

Margaret, a teen and aspiring botanist, is more preoccupied with four-legged insects and other crawly things rather than the male of the species two-legged crawly things. Elinor and Marianne are eager to lose their heads over their best prospects. This being roughly the Regency Period, they do this symbolically. By marrying into money, they hope to stabilize the household finances since Mrs. Dashwood is recently widowed. It’s a matter of cents and sensibility.

Of course, if there are the bachelorettes, there are bachelors, or should be (no spoilers here): Willoughby (John Austin), Edward Ferrars (Akeem Davis), Col. Brandon (Gregory Issac) and Robert Ferrars (Iyanu Joshuasville). Some of these fellows have more of a pecuniary, rather than romantic, interest in marital bliss. Nowadays, they might have done better for themselves on the reality TV show, “Shark Tank” (2009 - present).

Thus, in “Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility,” there are stratagems, schemes, intrigues and gossip. Oh, my, is there gossip. It’s virtually a cottage industry.

“Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility” Director Jessica Bedford keeps the actors’ tongues firmly in cheek. The words fly, the emotions roil, the hearts pound and the blood boils. Bedford is mindful to encourage the actors to be precise in their timing, whether in response, silence, or double-takes. All of this occurs in a fresh and pristine setting by Scenic Designer Steve TenEyck with Associate Scenic Designer Rodrigo Hernandez Martinez, working with Lighting Designer Lily Fossner.

There’s gorgeous singing by Arrianna Daniels (Marianne), a lovely ball scene choreographed by Gina Lamparella, swordplay between John Austin (Willoughby) and Gregory Issac (Col. Brandon) coordinated by Fight and Intimacy Director Eli Lynn, and wonderful attire by Costume Designer Leigh Paradise.

Gina Lamparella as Mrs. Dashwood provides a harbor of steadfast normalcy apart from the sea of the other characters’ churning emotions.

Sarah Gliko as Elinor presents a strong, measured composure, except at certain moments when she leans forward and her body flutters like the birds of which Elinor is so fond.

Arrianna Daniels as Marianne has an impetuous peevishness like a petulant child when she doesn’t get her way. At other times, she gives Marianne totally charming ways.

Nicole Lawrie as Margaret portrays a character younger than her years and she does so convincingly, with shoulders flung back, head down, and scampering about quickly. Lawrie has some of the funniest lines in the show and her delivery makes them funnier.

Sue Jin Song as Mrs. Jennings makes the role the height of hilarity as Mrs. Jennings celebrates every bit of gossip with an exclamation point.

Billie Wyatt as Fanny Dashwood brings terrific over-the-top obnoxiousness to her characterization.

There’s quite a coterie of intensely annoying female characters, intentionally injected into the play’s situations, including Megan Castellane (Lucy Steele) and Abagaile Ruger (Mrs. Palmer).

The male characters in the play are almost the straight men, with David Pica (Mr. Palmer) and Christopher Patrick Mullen (Thomas Middleton) the humorous exceptions.

Noteworthy are John Austin, as a seemingly sincere Willoughby; Gregory Issac as a complete gentleman Col. Brandon, and Akeem Davis as the dedicated Edward Ferrars.

The cast includes CaSandra Kay Danubio (Miss Grey), Iyanu Joshuasville (Robert Ferrars) and Christian Tuffy (Barton Park).

The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival’s “Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility” is a total delight. It’s wacky. And that’s what makes the production so entertaining. You are simultaneously appalled and amused.

Most of the actors in the cast of 16 do double duty because they are also in “The Tempest,” which is in repertory with “Sense and Sensibility” at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival.

“Sense & Sensibility,” 7:30 p.m. July 21, 22, 23, 27, 29, Aug. 2, 4; 6:30 p.m. July 25, Aug. 1; 2 p.m. July 30, Aug. 5. Talk-back with actors after July 27 performance. Audio-described, open-captioned performance 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2. Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Main Stage, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley. Tickets: 610-282-9455, http://pashakespeare.org