a day with Jane

A couple of months back, my friend Debra discovered that a stage version of "Pride and Prejudice" was appearing in a nearby university theater. She got tickets, and it was going to be my Christmas present. She chose February 27th as the best date.

We weren't even sure if it was a musical or a play. A few days before I thought to look online for more info, and discovered there was to be a free dance class beforehand, and high tea afterward, to which you needed reservations - oh dear, we were too late for that!

Deb was going to make lunch, and then we'd go, but at the last minute we decided to rush off to the dance class instead. About 40 people showed up!  And different ages, which was very nice to see.

Here's Tom, the teacher, dressed in period costume. He was very amiable and everyone enjoyed themselves. My friend does Scottish country dancing, but I'd never.

The play was almost three hours long with a short intermission - and very faithful to the book's dialogue. In fact, I knew what to expect at every turn, including all the lines, which took some getting used to. But by the end, everyone felt it was a very satisfying production. 

Then, as we filed out, we discovered anyone who wanted to could attend the tea after all! There was plenty for all.  We found ourselves sitting with Louise and Denise, cousins, who enjoy high tea wherever they can find it, and we all had a great time eating cream cheese sandwiches of about five types. Scones, real clotted cream, three types of jam.

Chocolate-dipped strawberries, petit fours, eclairs, fruit tartlets, three kinds of sliced cake. Biscotti. And much tea, of every flavor.

It was pretty dim in our corner of the room, so I've had to mess around with these photos.

Tom, the dance expert was there, along with the costume designer for the production, and the dramaturge, who arranges things like this for each play they present - she particularly enjoyed doing this one. They were available to answer questions. Such a pleasant experience!

As we were going, Tom strolled over, and I took his picture.

Then Deb took my photo with him.

Great fun! And now I'll be watching the dance scenes more closely in my Jane Austen adaptations.