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Jane Austen Festival shows true class

09 / 2011

In September 2011 The Mission Theatre was delighted to welcome the return of the Jane Austen Festival for three dramatic and musical events at the theatre. The Mission was a venue in the 2006 Festival and it was good to welcome back old friends and new. As before audiences and performers alike commented how well the intimate and classical venue complemented the Regency events in the programme.

The Festival kicked off here on Monday 21 September with "Drawing Room Theatricals", a duo of comic monologues from actress Sarah Siddons and 'Lizzy Bennett', followed by a hilarious two-person version of Pride and Prejudice (lots of hats!). The performances were interspersed with delightful piano and voice arrangements. Later that evening the capacity audience were treated to a fascinating talk by Professor Amanda Vickery, a historian, author and broadcaster, who was following up on her recent BBC series 'At Home With The Georgians' by answering questions on houses and interiors in the Austen novels.

The Mission then hosted an evening of Regency and Georgian music on Wednesday 21 September. The delightful "Lady Georgianna" are a trio of harpsichord, voice and cello who performed songs, arias and chamber pieces likely to have been played, and possibly even written, by Jane Austen herself. The performers also took the time to explain the intricacies of their Baroque instruments and beautiful costumes to a very appreciative audience. The evening was rounded off by some of the costumed members of the audience joining Lady Georgianna on the stage for a photo session!

The Festival events were a great success here for audiences and performers alike and we hope that it won't be too long before Jane Austen works her magic again at The Mission.

Images from the Festival:

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