Jane Austen meets Bridgerton! Dances from the films, music from the salon

6pm – 7pm: open rehearsal (optional) | 7.30pm – 9.15pm: performance (with a short interval)
9.45pm – 10.45pm: ‘Sancho Session’ at the Festival Hub

On the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen, we are inviting you to enter the Georgian world of dance and music. The Georgettes of Oxford – in historical dress – will perform period versions of the dances appearing in films of Austen’s works. All are invited to participate – both with dancing feet, or with wigs and costumes!

The Capability Consort – a dance quartet using period instruments – will be joined by a soprano singing Haydn and Mozart, together with popular songs of the time. The evening reflects the real world depicted by Bridgerton: Londoners of mixed heritage; everyone dancing (some with more skill than others!); Mozart’s chamber music right next to his favourite pastime – contredances; and the large following for the two most popular writers of the day: Jane Austen, famous for her novels, and Ignatius Sancho, renowned for his letters, but also a composer of dance tunes and songs.
This will be followed by a ‘Sancho Session’ in the festival hub, for those who still cannot get enough of our Georgian evening – and we are inviting our audiences to bring readings, sing a song, dance, or simply enjoy the whole affair. Participation is voluntary, informal, and cheerful. Eighteenth-century dress is optional!