Theatrical tribute to Heyer’s talent

A life-long love of the novels of mid-20th century English writer Georgette Heyer has inspired Dunedin actor Terry MacTavish to create a theatre piece honouring her life and legacy, and to mark the 50th anniversary of her death.

Entitled A Rare Pubic Appearance by Miss Georgette Heyer, the free performance will be held this Saturday, from 2pm, in the Dunningham Suite, 4th floor, Dunedin City Library.

MacTavish will herself take on the role of the witty, acerbic Heyer, known as the "Queen of Regency Romance", with fellow local actors Kimberley Buchan and Dylan Shield appearing to enact some of her most famous love scenes.

The project was sparked by a chance re-reading of an old letter from a former suitor, accusing MacTavish of holding him up to the impossible standards of a "Georgette Heyer hero".

"It was true, I adored Heyer’s Regency romances and could identify with her wonderful, glamorous heroes and heroines," MacTavish said.

"So I plunged back into her books to re-read them, and was sincerely astonished anew by her extraordinary grasp of Regency life and social mores."

So to acknowledge 50 years since Heyer’s death in 1974 and to introduce her to a new audience, MacTavish set about researching the author’s life, along with taking a deep dive into her work.

"At the beginning, Heyer’s books tended to be male-centred, but later on her heroines became increasingly independent.

"And always, there was her delicious sense of humour and her wit — it has been a joy rediscovering her cleverness."

Famously private, Heyer refused to make public appearances or give interviews about her work, as "publicity did not interest her at all".

However, as she was supporting her family through her writing, she was very focused on selling books — despite taking a jaundiced view of them and of her fans.

She also wrote thrillers, was intent on writing a great medieval novel and produced several modern books, which she later suppressed.

"She was so harsh about her books and her fans, blaming them for forcing her to keep writing the historical romances they wanted."

In building up a depiction of Heyer, MacTavish has relied heavily on biographies by Jennifer Kloester and Jane Aiken Hodge, who had access to more than 1000 letters written by the author.

"Her letters are revealing, pungent and sometimes vitriolic, especially when she discusses how she was plagiarised by Barbara Cartland.

"Presenting Georgette Heyer as a character is a real joy for me, and I have been very lucky to work with Dylan and Kimberley on demonstrating the love scenes from the books.

"I hope people will join us on Saturday to experience Heyer’s wonderful world."

brenda.harwood@thestar.co.nz