You may be interested to note that a new adaptation of Mansfield Park is to tour English theatres in the autumn. It will premiere at the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, on the 13th September. This is a highly appropriate venue as the theatre is the only surviving Regency theatre in England. It was built in 1819 by William Wilkins, who was also the architect of the National Gallery in London. It is a very rare survivor of the Georgian era and is one of only eight Grade I listed theatres in England. As usual in these cases, it is a very intimate theatre and seats only 350.
The Entrance to the Theatre ©Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds
The National Trust is the current custodian of the theatre and from its re-opening after its restoration in 2007 until recently its artistic director was Colin Blumenau who, in a very inspired way during his tenure, reintroduced to the modern repertoire many Georgian plays with which Jane Austen would have been familiar. These plays- virtually unknown and unseen since the Victorian era- were staples of the 18th century repertoire -but are rarely performed today. In particular he concentrated in reviving plays written by Suffolk’s famous theatrical daughter, Mrs Inchbald. His Restoring the Repertoire series has been wonderful to follow over the years. He is directing the new production of Mansfield Park
The adaptor is Tim Luscombe .You will no doubt be familiar with his other adaptations of Jane Austen’s works: Northanger Abbey
“Northanger Abbey” – adapted by Tim Luscombe
and Persuasion.
“Persuasion” adapted by Tim Luscombe
I was lucky enough to see Northanger Abbey in York some years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. His version of Persuasion I have only read, and I do wish I had had the chance to see it on stage. I am of course, going to see Mansfield Park for not only is it now, most probably, my second favourite of Jane Austen’s novels, but this is being performed in my “patch” as it were ;) I shall be reporting back to you , of course.
In addition to staging Mansfield Park, in a really intelligent display of joined-up-thinking, the cast will also be performing a reading of Lover’s Vows adapted by Mrs Inchbald from Kotzebue’s original play, on the 24th September. This is the “play within the novel” that was nearly the undoing of the young people at Mansfield, and which was carefully chosen by Jane Austen for the way in which the plot of the play neatly amplified the secret desires of the performers. I’m hoping to see this too- I have my tickets- but it depends on my schedule on the day as to wherever I can actually attend. Fingers crossed.
If you would like to book tickets then go here for all the details of the theatres where Mansfield park will be touring this autumn.
17 comments
August 20, 2012 at 11:47 pm
cathyallen
It sounds wonderful, and I look forward to your review. I think you could not go wrong with the caliber of the production team you have described. I DO hope you can make it to see “Lovers Vows” too!
August 22, 2012 at 10:13 am
jfwakefield
Me too…I’ve read Lovers Vows but I think seeing it acted by professional, and moreover, the same actors appearing in Mansfield Park so that they can play ” their” part in the play would be wonderful. Let’s hope I get there….
August 21, 2012 at 8:36 am
imogen88
Oh Julie, this is a treat and a half besides. Keen for your review, and you simply must be there. Brilliant the way it is being done, love authenticity on this scale, and I bet they will be rewarded for it. Love MP, and this is grand news.
August 22, 2012 at 10:15 am
jfwakefield
Yes, I still don’t admire any of the characters in MP ( Do not beat me! ) but I find it an endlessly interesting text on so many levels. To see both MP and Lovers Vows portrayed by the same set of actors is a rare opportunity
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August 22, 2012 at 1:03 pm
imogen88
LOL, I would not beat you! They are not easy to like, but Edmund and Fanny have some transcendent moments in the strangeness of it. It is a strange and deep novel, and it feels as if you are somehow there, in that house with them all. I think because of this it feels stifling, but it’s real, I think JA writes it true. This is what I like so much about it, and also the day to day detail, wicked Mrs Norris’ obsession with the pheasant’s eggs and cream cheese at Sotherton, and the hidden meanings in things, the constant tension JA has created in it. It must have been exhausting to write and sustain that. This is why I would love it if someone would really pay it the honour it deserves as a mini series, because I think it was written “as is” and “of the times”, and we see the family as if through a keyhole. I enjoy the other novels more, but this is one as you say, endlessly interesting on so many different levels, it just never stops. Huge.
August 22, 2012 at 5:44 pm
jfwakefield
I agree, Moni. I think the “devil is in the detail” with this novel.To use a rather simplistic analogy, trying to understand this novel is akin to peeling an onion,. Of course there is the narrative, which I think modern readers find baffling in many aspects, but its whole much , much more than a mere story
.
August 23, 2012 at 7:46 am
imogen88
Thanks Julie. I agree with you too. And much, much more than a mere story, also. Well said.
August 22, 2012 at 1:08 am
Bob Devetski
Julie
It appears the tour will not include Indiana, so we will have to rely upon your excellent review. Looking forward to it, as always.
August 22, 2012 at 10:17 am
jfwakefield
I’m sorry Bob. If I had my way, they’d be winging their way over to you. I will report back, on the plays and the theatre which is totally fascinating.
August 22, 2012 at 9:55 am
Jacki
So envious and simply thrilled for you and those whom are involved. Oh how I wish I lived nearer to all things Austen.
August 22, 2012 at 10:18 am
jfwakefield
Thank you, Jacki. I do know how you feel, for once this is taking place not far from me, so I’m really looking forward to the whole experience.
August 22, 2012 at 2:57 pm
Tony Grant
The present version ( a few earlier ones burned down) of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane was opened on 10th October 1812 with a performance of “Hamlet”.The picture you show of the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmonds looks like a mini version of the one in Drury Lane. All the very best, Tony
August 22, 2012 at 3:30 pm
jfwakefield
Yes, I agree- I have a collection of theatrical prints and engraving dating from the early 19th century, including the third and fourth versions of Drury Lane,- and externally the Bury St Edmunds theatre does resemble the original exterior of the fourth Drury Lane Theatre. Sadly the similarities are only superficial, as the Drury Lane theatre was cavernous compared with the Suffolk version. If you can be patient I will be writing much more on the theatre in Jane Austens day in the autumn :I have long threatened to do it, and this touring production is just the spur I need.
You might like to note that when the fourth Drury Lane theatre opened with its production of Macbeth, one of Jane Austens actors played the lead role. If you go here you can read a post I wrote about him some time ago.
August 22, 2012 at 3:25 pm
Tony Grant
Hi Julie.. You mention above that the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmonds is “the only surviving Regency theatre in England.” That might refer to the stage and interior rather than the outer structure. I should imagine the one in Drury Lane is a modern up to date theatre inside. I have been a few times but not recently. Tony
August 22, 2012 at 4:02 pm
jfwakefield
Well,then, not to be pedantic,do allow me clarify and be more specific, though I did think my original statement was clear. The interior of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane can no longer be considered as original and Georgian in nature. It has undergone many alterations internally. There are a few 18th / early 19th century theatres in England which do survive intact internally, as they were originally designed. The Georgian Theatre at Richmond in Yorkshire is a very famous surviving example of a provincial Georgian playhouse. The Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds is a surviving example from the Regency. Both have been restored, but are very different, intimate auditoria. They give an impression of what it was like to visit the theatre in Jane Austens era, which a modern auditorium as you now find at Drury Lane, cannot. You will, I am sure be able to appreciate just how different these theatres were from Victorian and modern playhouses when I write about them in the near future.
August 29, 2012 at 6:56 pm
Elizabeth
A Mansfield Park adaptation? Oh how I long to see a production of this novel done well. I, like many other commenters, am sad to not be in England for such a fun event! I feel lucky, though, that we have a few Austen adaptations float around Salt Lake from time to time. Counting my blessings:)
August 30, 2012 at 7:08 am
jfwakefield
I know exactly what you mean, and fingers crossed that this is a good one! Thank you taking the time to comment.