their ‘Create your own Reticule’ and ‘Create
your own soft bonnet or turban’ workshops;
Bath Archers, the oldest and largest archery
club in the UK, are providing taster sessions
for would-be bowmen and women at their
range at Batheaston; and for budding
actors Karen Eterovich will be running a
masterclass on bringing literary figures to life.
Old favourites, such as minibus tours to
the harder-to-reach parts of Bath, as well as
to Lacock and Austen’s Hampshire haunts,
are on the programme, as are the foody events
of ‘Rummaging Through the Reticule’ and ‘A
Very Private Public Breakfast’. The Theatre
Royal, Bath, is the host for several events
including Kim Hicks returning to Bath with
her one-woman show, Courtship; the ever-
popular theatre tour Draw Back the Curtain
with Jane Tapley; and Murder at Mansfield
Park, a luncheon in the theatre’s 1805 rooms
with the Moonstone Theatre Company. In
addition, there are a couple of book events
with authors Carrie Kablean, author of What
Kitty Did Next, and Sophie Andrews, who
wrote Be More Jane.
There are extra-special evening events,
including ‘A noisy game of lottery tickets’ (a
Regency games evening), ‘The honours of
the table’ a presentation on how to prepare a
Regency dinner table and dining etiquette,
‘Bad Girls and Bonnets’ presentation from
the amazing Lucy Adlington from History
Wardrobe, the unique Regency Costumed
Masked Ball (September 20) with a reception
by the Roman Baths and dancing in the
Pump Room, and a very welcome return for
Karen Eterovich with her exquisite piece
of very clever theatre, Cheer from Chawton
(September 21).
Waterstones bookshop in Milsom Street
is hosting the annual public readings, which
take place from Monday to Friday and will be
the favourite chapters from each of Austen’s
novels, as voted for by supporters and friends
of the Festival, plus the complete Lady Susan.
It all promises to be a magical ten days, and I
do hope you will be able to join us in Bath in
September.The Jane Austen Festival, Bath, runs from
September 13 to 22, 2019. Tickets are on general
sale from July 1 (priority booking for festival
friends is from June 17, when the programme
will be available online and in print). For more
information visit janeaustenfestivalbath.co.uk