Jane Austen Festival

The members of JASNA St. Louis and other Jane Austen aficionados were recently treated to a Jane Austen Festival, the weekend of December 6-8.

It was put on by the Repertory Theatre (Browning Theater) of St. Louis, Webster University, and JASNA – St. Louis.

Throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, there were many activities one could attend. There were Tea Treats baking classes, a Regency Ball on Saturday evening, several scholar series on different topics of Pride and Prejudice, and the culmination of the weekend events was an afternoon tea on Sunday.

The highlight, however, was a theatrical performance of Pride and Prejudice, being presented through December 29. Adapted by Christopher Baker, and directed by Hana S. Sharif, it was a delightful, although somewhat compressed, version of the story we all know so well. There were some changes, however.

There were only Bennet four sisters (no Kitty), Bingley had only one sister (Caroline, of course), and there was no Colonel Fitzwilliam (unfortunately).

While certainly enjoyable, there were some other changes that had me somewhat confused. Mary Bennet was the youngest sister, and only twelve years old. I could see no reason to make such a drastic change. The order of events was sometimes altered, as well. For example, Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth before the Netherfield Ball. I am certain they did that due to the number of location changes they would have needed, but it made it somewhat awkward (in my opinion), when Mr. Collins asks Elizabeth for a dance at the ball. No mention of his proposal, or anything. At the end of the ball, Charlotte announces she is engaged to him.

Some other changes were some added witty dialogue, a very noble and kind gesture by Mr. Darcy at the end of the ball (and the end of Act I), where he presents Mary with some music. This allowed you go into intermission having seen Elizabeth see a somewhat different – and positive – side of him. Interesting.

Act II begins at Hunsford with Elizabeth already there. I wondered how they would work out her finding out about Darcy separating Bingley and Jane without Colonel Fitzwilliam there, but it is Mr. Collins who announces it, having overheard Darcy mention it to his aunt.

While there were some discrepancies, changes, and omissions, I always enjoy a Jane Austen adaptation, whether in film, on stage, and of course, in books. Overall, I enjoyed it very much.

On Sunday, I  attended several of the scholar series talks, but the one I enjoyed most was given at the Sunday afternoon tea. It was presented by Dorothy Marshall Englis, who was the costume designer for the play. Her talk was not only interesting (and amazing to me to hear the whole process, which began just this past October!), but she provided each of us a booklet of her drawings of the different characters and their wardrobe. It was wonderful to see these renderings, giving a greater appreciation for the labor of love that was put into them.

On both Saturday and Sunday I donned my Regency gown that I had made for me six years ago, and while only a handful of ladies did the same, I enjoyed dressing up for the event. I didn’t make it to all that they offered, as it was a busy weekend for me, but I enjoyed what I was able to attend.

If you live in or near St. Louis, you still have time to see Pride and Prejudice on the stage. I think you will enjoy it! Here is a link to a review and information on how to order tickets.