This in from organisers of the Isle of Arts Festival, coming to Ventnor this April. Ed
How would you sum up the essence of Pride and Prejudice in one event? The dancing, the flirtations, the pleasure bestowed by “a pair of fine eyes”? Isle of Arts is delighted to present the Festival Regency Ball.
Jane Austen, one of Britain’s best-loved authors, visited the Isle of Wight in June 1813 – the same year she published the story of Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett.
We will be celebrating this anniversary with a lavish Regency ball at East Dene, the former home of the poet Swinburne, in Bonchurch, on the south eastern edge of the Island.
Join the spirit of the event
Guests will be encouraged to get into the spirit of the event and come in period costume or, for the faint-hearted, black tie. On arrival they will be announced to the assembled company by the Master of Ceremonies and issued with souvenir dance cards.
The evening will include period dances, led by dance caller Liz Bartlett, live piano and violin music by the Regency Belles and demonstration danced by Jane Austen Dancers from Bath.
Between dances, guests may indulge in other Regency pastimes, including card games and having a unique silhouette portrait cut by artist Alison Russell. The evening includes a glass of punch on arrival, plus a light finger buffet. Tickets are priced at £30.
Dance workshop
For those ladies and gentlemen who are new to Regency dancing, there will be the opportunity to attend an introductory dance workshop earlier in the day. Tickets £2 available on the door, book in advance.
Elsewhere in our festival programme, on Friday 19 April, we will have an immersive and hilarious treat for fans of Jane Austen and improvised comedy alike with Austentatious: An Improvised Novel.
This comedy drama in the style of one of Britain’s best-loved novelists is based entirely on audience suggestion. Tickets are priced at £14.
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