Festival Director – 2015 Festival

Welcome to the 15th Jane Austen Festival which is by far the largest, with over 100 events throughout the ten days of celebrations. 2015 sees two important bicentenaries, the publication of Austen’s novel Emma and the Battle of Waterloo and we celebrate both. For the first time we have two Balls in the Festival, The ‘Highbury’ Country Dance on Saturday 12th being held at Bath Pavilion, is a celebration of all things Emma and the other is our very popular Masked Ball at the Roman Baths and Pump Rooms on Friday18th.
There are talks on food, money, fans, clothes, architecture, being ill, crime and punishment, the less fashionable side of Bath, contemporary writers, dolls houses, art, music, surviving the film Waterloo and of course Austen herself and Emma. Workshops include dance, playing the harp, bonnet dressing, language of the fan and archery! Yes, archery and with walks, visits, theatricals, music recitals and Emma the film there really is something for everyone. We are delighted to welcome Hotbuckle Productions with their adaptation of Emma and two brand new pieces from the award winning Natural Theatre Company. The Naturals will be taking to the streets on Saturday 12th with their irreverent comedy walk ‘Austen Undone’ and then completing this year’s celebrations with our Finale: ‘Jane Austen the interview’.
The spectacular Grand Regency Costumed Promenade starts from the Assembly Rooms in Bennett Street, where in 2014 we broke our own record for ‘The largest gathering of people dressed in Regency costume’ at 550. £1 from every ticket sold to take part in this costumed event, is donated to Whizz-kidz and our competition Project Jane is also raising funds for this very worthwhile cause. The reading of the novel Emma will take place at Bath Central Library and if you would like to read a chapter do contact us.
The highly entertaining Professor John Mullan returns to the Festival to talk about Emma, whilst Maggie Lane and Angela Barlow discuss the novel’s real and imaginary invalids.  Dr Amy Frost not only talks about Soaring Towers and Sweeping Views but also gives two tours of Beckford’s Tower (named after the wealthy eccentric William Beckford) housing fascinating artefacts.
With musical entertainment provided by superb soprano Rosie Lomas and early keyboard specialist Katarzyna Kowalik on the Holburne Museum’s very own Schantz Fortepiano the Festival contains much that  would have been familiar to Austen and that I hope you enjoy too.
I look forward to meeting you either at an event this year or if not then sometime in the future.
Best wishes
Jackie Herring – Festival Director