Pride & Prejudice in Manly

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Pride and Prejudice is the most loved of all Jane Austen’s novels. First published in 1813, Pride and Prejudice was described by Jane as her "own darling child".. In this bicentenary year, the timeless classic has been reimaged by well-known playwright Deborah Mulhall, so that as well as the original romances, Jane Austen herself is onstage to amuse and delight with her own wry wit and charm. Mr Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet invite you to revel in the tale of their conversion from dislike to intrigue to love, treading the primose path of dalliance people with their difficult families, needy friends, and the original ‘bad boy’ the wickedly charming Wickham.

Presented by the Factory Space Theatre Independent Company at the Star of the Sea Theatre in Manly
Cast: Andrew Steel, Orlena Steele, Mikela Carattini, Jennie Dibley, James Belfrage, Melinda Robinson. Directed by Roz Riley
Opening 6th July, playing Friday and Saturday at 7.30; Sunday matinee at 3pm; until Sat 27th July.

Box office (02) 94391906

Tickets $35; $28 concession. Stella Maris students and Parents $25.

I took a group of fourteen from the Earthly Delights Historic Dance Academy to see Pride & Prejudice at the Star of the Sea Theatre in Manly on Saturday night and we had the most wonderful time. If you haven't been to see it yet, do so before the season closes. We enjoyed ourselves and would go again if we lived closer - definitely recommended!

My husband particularly enjoyed the quality of acting - Mr Bennet and Mr Collin's characters showed a greater depth than normal and there was a chance to emphasise with their situations as well as the women's situation in life. The background music was familiar - let us know if you recognise any of it ;) 

Tour Jane Austens England, 8-15 September 2013

Earthly Delights Historic Costume & Dance Tour of England: Week 2

Travel through the English countryside by private luxury coach and enjoy the glorious views of Hampshire, Wiltshire and Somerset. Visit Jane Austen's House Museum and enjoy a guided tour of Chawton House Library. Stay in specially selected bed & breakfast accommodation, stroll through 'must-visit' towns of Winchester and Lacock Village. Dress up and learn some historical dances, visit a working 19th century silk mill, spend time breathing in the history of some of England's glorious buildings and gardens - Montacute House, Barrington Court, Stourhead and view some historical fashions up close at Killerton House and Bath Fashion Museum. Promenade in Regency costume at the Jane Austen Festival in Bath and attend a Costumed Regency Ball in the Bath Assembly Rooms.

(For the HISTORIC LONDON TOUR that leads up to this tour see Tour 1)

ITINERARY

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DAY 1, Sunday 

After a continental breakfast we farewell those staying in London or traveling elsewhere and greet those joining us for Week Two of the tour. We leave South Kensington early by private coach to spend the day in Winchester, sightseeing in the morning, attending an afternoon dance workshop, followed by a traditional English Pub Dinner and some more dancing before retiring for a good nights rest at Chilworth Manor.

High Street, Winchester

Jane Austen is buried inside Winchester Cathedral

Chilworth Manor, luxurious accommodation near Southampton

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DAY 2, Monday

After breakfast at Chilworth Manor we travel to visit Jane Austen’s House Museum in Chawton, pause to enjoy some delicacies at Cassandra's Cup next door for lunch and then spend the afternoon at Chawton House. 

Jane Austen's House Museum

Enjoy tea at Cassandra's Cup in Chawton

View the house, library and gardens of Chawton House

  

                                         

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DAY 3, Tuesday

After breakfast our private coach will take us to visit the Whitchurch Silk Mill, where we spend the morning viewing a working Georgian silk mill and share in a group luncheon. Afterwards our coach will take us to Killerton House to view a wonderful historic costume collection. Dinner is scheduled upon our arrival at Farthings Country House Hotel in Taunton. 

Whitchurch Silk Mill

Killerton House

We have arranged a private study table at Killerton House

  

Relax in the Farthings Country Hotel

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DAY 4, Wednesday

After breakfast our coach will take us to visit the magnificent Montacute House where several scenes of the 1995 film version of Jane Austen's novel Sense and Sensibility were filmed and wherein are housed a selection of portraits from the National Portrait Gallery in London. After purchasing your lunch from the National Trust restaurant our coach takes us to Barrington Court, a manor house that some believe may have been owned at one stage by an early Austen family member, and was "Kellynch Hall" from Jane Austen's Persuasion and where we have been invited to dance on the sprung dance floor inside.

Montacute House

Sense & Sensibility was filmed at Montacute House

We have been invited to dance inside Barrington Court

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DAY 5, Thursday

After an early breakfast we leave for Stourhead House and Gardens, another Jane Austen film location. We have a specially booked guide to show us around before we break for a group luncheon. After a day out we journey to stay the night at Beechfield House Hotel.

Stourhead House

Stourhead Gardens

Temple of Apollo, where the P&P proposal scene was filmed

          

Beechfield House Hotel, a wonderfully relaxing luxury hotel near Bath.

     

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DAY 6, Friday

After breakfast we depart for Bath, spending the morning in Lacock Village, a wonderfully preserved village dating from the 13th century, that played the village of 'Meryton' in the BBC’s 'Pride and Prejudice'. Here the Bennet girls, in particular Lydia and Kitty ‘whose minds were more vacant than their sisters’, shopped for bonnets, sought the latest tittle-tattle from their Aunt Philips, and hoped to attract the attentions of the officers - in particular a certain Mr Wickham. After a light lunch we depart for Bath, where we will attend the Jane Austen Festival and celebrate 200 years of Pride & Prejudice. A private study table has been reserved for us at the Bath Fashion Museum during the afternoon.

Lacock Village Main Street

Colin Firth as Darcy in Lacock Village

Lacock Abbey

Cauldron in the Cloisters

Bath Fashion Museum

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DAY 7, Saturday

After breakfast we dress for the Jane Austen Festival Promenade. After meeting old and new friends alike you have plenty of time to walk around Bath and use your special entry ticket to visit the Roman Baths, Fashion Museum and Assembly Rooms at your leisure. In the evening we have reserved tickets to attend a Grand Regency Ball & Dinner in the Bath Assembly Rooms.

   

   

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DAY 8, Sunday
We have booked extra accommodation in Bath until the 22 September 2013, so feel free to stay on in Bath with us. Aylwen has arranged a special 1-day outing to view costumes from the Snowshill Collection in Leominster mid-week and is taking expressions of interest from those who wish to join her. We depart Bath on the 22 September for Oxford, where we will teach a dance workshop before flying from Heathrow on the 23 September.

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FOR THE HISTORIC LONDON TOUR that leads up to this tour SEE Tour 1

Book now one of 13 places on this tour.

Regency Dress Collection

My collection of 12+ regency dresses for hire are hanging in the trees drying. Quite an amazing sight, with the sun coming through leaves tinged with autumnal gold.
Making these gowns was a challenge, but seeing them put to full use during the Jane Austen Festival was an absolute delight. I have always wanted to have a collection available for those without a gown or time to make one.
Our next regency-themed ball will be on the 18th October, a Pride & Prejudice Ball.

Our Midsummer Nights Dream Ball was a success! Even though temperatures were higher than expected, lots of people came and had a lovely time. I haven't downloaded the photos yet, but when I do they will be on our Photo Page. The renaissance dances we did were really fun - just like dances must have been danced at the time of Shakespeare, and the band Earthly Delights was great, right in the groove. Our next ball is a Jane Austen/Napoleonic Ball on the 17th February.

Today I started sewing a quilt for the first time in my life! I've been reading about other people starting them and a friend at work is halfway through one, so I've got one of my own to work on at lunch times and on the bus. I've chosen to do a Sweet Valentine BOM Quilt, designed by Lesley at Faeries in My Garden.

Last night I started another Regency ball gown for myself, using some brown silk dupion. I'm using the Sense & Sensibility Regency Dress pattern neckline supplement, choosing the sloping neckline option, but retaining the original low neckline. I've added 10" extra on the fold to the front to pleat up - it looks lovely when pleated up, attached to the linen lining and folded over. I've got to sew in a casing for a drawstring cord so it can be fitted over my shoulders. I'm planning to make an overdress, similar to one worn in the Sense & Sensibility movie.


My daughter Amy is cutting out a new dress that will look like Jane's white ball dress from Pride and Prejudice 2005. To make this gown, simply use the Sensibility pattern, An Elegant Ladies Closet. I will be selling these from next week on my patterns page.