Jane Tapley
· L E C T U R E S·
Introduction
JANE TAPLEY LECTURE SERIES A series of lectures designed to engage, interest, inform and entertain all attendees. With core themes encompassing literature, history and the theatre there is something here for every audience. Lectures with real content, delivered with wit and authority means we are fortunate to have a high level of repeat bookings. Learn more about the lecturer herself on the inside back cover.
2
Theme Page
Theatre & Performing Arts
04
Spas & Bath 12
Food History & Social Customs
16
Literary Portraits 20
Study Days / Special Interest Days
24
About The Speaker 34
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THEATRE
AND THE PERFORMING
ARTS 4
SEARCHING FOR
SHAKESPEARE 400 years on and Shakespeare remains the most famous Englishman in the world.
Here we explore his
life, influences of the Elizabethan age and how his work impacted the global stage. Learn what the first open-air theatres were like, how popular his plays were with his contemporary audiences, how his plays survived and who saved them.
ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE
HISTORY OF THEATRE This talk gives a panoramic overview of two thousand years of theatre history, tracing the origins of theatre traditions and showing how social and political influences have affected the theatre over this time. We look at the Greeks, the Romans and the Elizabethans with their vast outdoor theatres and daylight perfomances; then the Georgians and Victorians with smaller indoor, elitist palaces.
Learn how actors and audiences behaved,
how the plays were received and how we became the most renowned nation in the world for theatre.
6
TO BE OR NOT TO BE
THE BIRTH... ...of English theatre & the rebirth of The Globe.
We travel through the birth of the purpose-built theatres in the Sixteenth Century, trace the development of these houses of entertainment and the goings-on both on stage and in the audience. We also examine the rebirth of The Globe and the long struggle to recreate Shakespeares theatre as a living monument to the greatest playwright in the world.
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A NURSERY STAGE FOR LONDON
BATH THEATRE ROYAL One of just six provincial Georgian theatres, Bath is the most successful.
The first theatre outside London to
receive the Royal Patent it rose again after a disastrous fire in 1862. Explore the recent refurbisment, and how recent works have sympathetically brought it into the 21st Century. Why not combine the lecture with a visit to Bath & to the Theatre itself? Even a backstage tour and/or a city tour!
Theatre Royal Photo Courtesy of Freia Turland
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IT’LL BE ALRIGHT
ON THE NIGHT Here we examine the atmosphere and behaviour in and around the Georgian theatre. Irresponsible actors, impotent managers, tears and tyranny of audiences. Delegates will be astonished at the lack of discipline shown on stage and front of house. Marvel at the lack of preparation, under-rehearsal and very short runs. Learn how many went to the theatre as much ‘to be seen’, as to see the play. In the best tradition of the theatre, though, it was usually alright on the night!
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THAT’S NOT IN THE
SCRIPT....! Less a lecture, more entertainment for luncheon or dinner. Hear theatrical anecdotes from the speaker who has over the last twenty-five years (and counting!) interviewed everyone from Sir Edward Heath and Sir John Major to Earl Spencer and the Duchess of Devonshire. She has given hospitality to many actors in her Regency home in Bath when they appear at the Theatre and there are many humorous stories associated with her role as the Special Events Organiser there.
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OH YES IT IS!
The history of the Pantomime. We explore the complex and fascinating history of the Pantomime, how it developed from its Greek & Roman roots, through our religious plays of the Middle Ages and the Commedia Dell’Arte. Explore characters as diverse as the Harlequin, Grimaldi, through Dan Leno and Marie Lloyd to the soap stars of today.
OF SPAS
AND
BATH 12
A WORLD HERITAGE CITY
Bath
with
its
Roman
remains,
beautiful
Georgian
architecture and literary associations with Jane Austen, is the only World Heritage City in England. From Roman times to the present day it has Britain’s only natural HOT Spring. We cover its history from the Roman baths (the finest ones in the country) through to the redevelopment of the healing Spa waters.
STILL WATERS
RUN DEEP Hear about the restoration of Bath Spa.
Follow the
history of the baths from Roman times right through to today. The remains of the Roman Baths are the best example of such an archaeological find outside Italy and the Listed Spa buildings have been meticulously restored and regenerated.
Hear how Nicholas Grimshaw designed
a state of the art modern building that won people’s hearts even with its modernistic design.
14
TAKING
THE WATERS Discover social life in the Spa towns from Roman times to today. Hear how spas developed from mineral springs & holy wells, steeped in local folklore. Learn about the development of Spas in medicinal practises and how they were transformed into
fashionable
watering
holes
for
Georgian
society,
gathering as they did to dance, gamble, gossip and flirt. It wasn’t just about taking the waters! We look at the splendid architecture, extensive parks and gardens, all designed to attract the Beau Monde.
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FOOD HISTORY
AND SOCIAL
CUSTOMS 16
FROM SOUP TO SYLLABUB
‘invite him to dinner Emma, and help him to the fish and the chicken, but leave him to choose his own wife’* Peep into the dining room of the elegant Regency diner and discover all is not as it may seem; from the perils of the promiscuous diner to the presence of the chamber pot in the dining room, Georgian habits will surprise and shock a modern audience.
* Jane Austen, Emma
FROM TURKEY
TO TRIFLE A history of the Christmas table and customs
Take a gourmet’s journey through the origins of festive fayre and the traditions we have adopted and adapted from Georgian and Victorian times.
From the turkey
stagecoach to the drinking of Port with Stilton cheese and the custom of wiping one’s mouth on the tablecloth ( ! ) - all revealed in this fascinating portrayal of our Christmas customs.
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A CORNUCOPIA OF
CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS Where do all the the traditions that we follow during the Festive Season originate? Who invented mince pies, cross-dressing, Christmas crackers and Christmas cards. Who decked the halls with boughs of holly? All will be revealed in this light-hearted and informative talk.....
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A
LITERARY
PORTRAIT
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JANE AUSTEN,HER LIFE & TIMES We follow the career of one of the earliest and greatest female writers of the eighteenth century, if not all time. Follow the journey through one of the greatest literary periods and chart the new-style novel’s rise in popularity. Hear about her quiet, private upbringing and her personal struggle for true independence. Learn
how
her
novels
gathered
appreciation after her death.
momentum
and
DICKENS
& CHRISTMAS A Christmas Version Of His Life & Times
Find out why he was often referred to as Jolly Old Christmas.
Learn what fabulously popular phrase he coined that’s still popular today in the Festive Season.
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WHAT THE DICKENS...?
Explore the life and times of the most famous novelist in the world, a complex man driven by a vivid imagination and need to succeed in his chosen career.
Follow his career path from political reportage to his ultimate place as novelist supreme.
Hear about his reading tours, and how his incredible popularity hastened his early demise.
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STUDY DAYS &
SPECIAL INTEREST DAYS
GEORGIAN DELIGHTS... pick any 3 titles on any study day page for a full day
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...BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
•
Bath - A World Heritage Georgian City
•
Taking The Waters - A Very Georgian Habit
•
Jane Austen - Life & Times Of THE Georgian Novelist
•
Soup to Syllabub - History of Georgian Dining
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It’ll Be Alright ON The Night - History of Georgian Theatre
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Risen From The Ashes - Restoration Of A Georgian Theatre
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Demonstration - Georgian Table Settings
STUDY DAYS &
SPECIAL INTEREST DAYS
THEATRE STUDY DAY... pick any 3 titles on any study day page for a full day
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...ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE •
Greeks, Romans & Elizabethans - Lend Me Your Ears
•
What Did All These Outdoor Theatres Have In Common?
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Searching For Shakespeare
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It’ll Be Alright ON The Night - Theatre In Georgian Times
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From Play to Novel - From Sheridan to Austen
•
How The Play Gave Birth To The Novel in 18c
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A Day In The Life Of A Working Theatre
•
Behind The Scenes At Bath’s Theatre Royal
STUDY DAYS &
SPECIAL INTEREST DAYS
JANE AUSTEN... pick any 3 titles on any study day page for a full day
28
...& HER WORLD •
The Little Bit Of Ivory On Which I Work - Jane Austen’s Life
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It’ll Be Alright On The Night - Jane Austen & The Theatre
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How Her Work Was Influenced By The Play
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Soup to Syllabub - History of Food & Dining In 18c
•
The Part Food & Dining Play In Her Novels
•
Option Audience Participation with Short Play Readings or Poetry Recitals
•
Demonstration - Georgian Table Settings
•
A performance of Courtship by the actress Kim Hicks
Photo of Kim Hicks Courtesy of Bob Willingham
STUDY DAYS &
SPECIAL INTEREST DAYS
THE BIRTH OF THE NOVEL... pick any 3 titles on any study day page for a full day
30
...FROM AUSTEN TO DICKENS
•
Georgian Theatre & Its Influence On The Novel
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The Georgian Novelist - Jane Austen
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The Victorian Novelist - Charles Dickens
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How All Three Interlink & Influence Each Other
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The Part Food & Dining Play In Her Novels
•
Option Audience Participation with Short Play Readings or Poetry Recitals
STUDY DAYS &
SPECIAL INTEREST DAYS
BATH pick any 3 titles on any study day page for a full day
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...DIP A TOE IN BATH •
Bath A World Heritage City
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From The Romans To The Georgians
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Bath - Still Waters Run Deep
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The Nursery Stage For London & Jane Austen In Bath
We Can Also Arrange This Around A Visit To Bath & The Theatre Hosted At The Theatre Royal Bath, To Include A Backstage Tour & Lunch
ABOUT THE
SPEAKER
E: hello@janetapley.co.uk T: 01225 446 561 3 Upper Camden Place · Bath · BA1 5HX
JANE TAPLEY Jane is Special Events Organiser at the Theatre Royal Bath and has been since 1987. She frequently interviews actors, writers and directors. Jane is a Blue Badge tour guide and lecturer (since 1987) and has been a NADFAS lecturer for over 20 years (and is grateful for the many repeated requests to return!). In her ‘down time’ she is a freelance author & researcher, home economist and theatrical landlady. She tries to live by the phrase ‘If you want something done, ask a busy person!’
Theatre Royal Photo Courtesy of Freia Turland
JANE TAPLEY LECTURES
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