Jane Austen literary expert Jocelyn Harris and Austen fan and actor Terry MacTavish have joined forces with Dunedin theatre doyenne Louise Petherbridge to perform Manydown, by Sarah Rose Kearns.
The short play imagines one pivotal night in the lives of Jane Austen and her sister Cassandra, played by MacTavish and Harris respectively, exploring the then 27-year-old author’s acceptance then later rejection of a marriage proposal.
The Olveston performances, which run from tomorrow to Sunday, will feature the added element of Petherbridge reading passages from some of Austen’s works — Pride & Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, and abandoned novel The Watsons.
"With the permission of the playwright, we have enriched the play by adding in some extracts, and the effect is charming," MacTavish said.
The sold-out soirees will begin with music from the 18th century, and end with a performance of period dance by the Regency Dance Group.
MacTavish said the soirees would be an immersive experience, and she was "full of admiration for Olveston for having the courage to invite us in".
Harris and MacTavish have worked together on multiple Jane Austen theatre pieces in the past, including Lady Susan and The Watsons, and described the experience as "great fun".
"Working on Jane Austen and experiencing her words is wonderful, and we hope the soirees will encourage people to go back to the books again," Harris said.
Petherbridge has read Austen extensively, but has never been part of a production based on the author, so is "very much looking forward" to the experience.
The popularity of the soirees has inspired planning for a repeat season in the future.
