By Harry Mottram: Ironically Jane Austen wasn’t that impressed with Bath when she first saw it from a distance seeing it as ‘all vapor, shadow, smoke and confusion’ and found it rather ‘tiresome.’ However, in her take down of the Gothic novel Northanger Abbey the heroine Catherine Morland notes: “I shall always be talking of Bath, when I am at home again – I do like it so very much.” So contrary to the idea the author hated the place she found it the source material for her novels and we like to think she rather enjoyed the social life despite its hustle and bustle. Which is just as well since today the Jane Austen Festival began and if you walked the streets in between the showers you might have thought it was 1775 rather than 2025 since there were so many people attired in Georgian dress. Yes, the Empire gown for ladies or riding breeches for men are most definitely the look for the next few days as the festival runs from Friday 12th to Sunday 21st September 2025.
Or as the publicity runs Ten wonderful days of celebrating all things Austen in the beautiful city of Bath. You can read up on all the events and take part in some of them at https://janeausten.co.uk/
Emma – Jane Austen’s titular character and chronically bad match-maker is on at the Theatre Royal Bath and the cast turned up for afternoon tea at Bath’s beautiful Pump Room Restaurant, to celebrate the launch of the Jane Austen Festival & the 250TH anniversary of the birth of one of Britain’s greatest writers. (For the record Emma appears at the Theatre Royal Bath from until Saturday 20 September. To book tickets contact the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 or book online at theatreroyal.org.uk)
If you have never seen Elizabeth Bennet, her sisters, Emma or any of the characters in Jane Austen’s novels then check out the Grand Regency Costumed Promenade through the centre of Bath on Saturday when you will see hundreds of ‘Jane-ites’ in their finery taking to the streets. For fans of the author – this is a chance to immerse themselves in the world of Austen – and who knows – meet their very own Mr Darcy.
I took the main photo today – a group of ladies from across the Atlantic made sure they were part of the fun with these wonderful Empire line gowns.
Bath Voice Monthly Newspaper is distributed free to thousands of homes and some supermarkets – distributed from the first of the month. Harry Mottram is the News Editor
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