Southampton & Netley Jane Austen 200 Festivals www.sarahsiddonsfanclub.org
Beware of the unmeaning “ luxuries of Bath & the stinking fish of Southampton”
JUNE - OCTOBER 2017 @SarahSiddonsFC
WELCOME to the Southampton & Netley Jane Austen Festivals part of the Jane200 anniversary
“We have got a play” Mansfield Park
The Sarah Siddons Fan Club Theatre PRESENT
“Taking The Flounce or Nonsense & Insensibility”
Spa Fever has gripped Southampton, Royalty, artists and naval officers are flocking to the town to take the waters and indulge in sea bathing. Mr Martin is keen that his baths and cures are endorsed by the leaders of society and has enrolled the help of the Austen Ladies to promote the health giving benefits of ‘taking the flounce’ – what can possibly go wrong? An hour and a half theatrical perambulation around the streets of Old Southampton so familiar to Miss Jane, her friends, her relations and nodding acquaintances. Miss Jane thought little of her theatrical outings to the French Street Theatre in Southampton, hopefully our actors will fare better.
Dates: 26th - 30th June Performance begins promptly at 7.30 pm of the clock from Holy Rood Church (On the fashionable side of the High Street, Southampton)
Tickets: a mere trifle at £7 Available from info@sarahsiddonsfanclub.org www.wegottickets.com/sarahsiddonsfanclub 023 8086 2882 @SarahSiddonsFC | www.sarahsiddonsfanclub.org
Netley Festival Events Jane Austen, along with many other visitors to Southampton, made excursions to Netley, in the hope of inspiration from its gothic ruins. August 6 | 11am | Netley Abbey NETLEY & THE GOTHIC GUIDED WALK from the entrance gate to Netley Abbey, Netley Village. Jane Austen, like fellow writers Horace Walpole and Thomas Gray was drawn to the ruins of Netley Abbey to feel inspired by its gothic ruins, and in the hope of paranormal experiences. Find out how Netley inspired the gothic novel on a visit to one of the 18th century’s top visitor attractions.
August 6 | 12-3pm | Netley Abbey THE JANE AUSTEN PICNIC AT NETLEY ABBEY Pack a picnic, put on your bonnet and join us for a picnic recreating Jane’s picnic at Netley Abbey, with tours round the ruins, Regency games and dancing.
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Netley Festival Events August 13 | 11am | Netley Abbey LITERARY NETLEY GUIDED WALK from the entrance gate to Netley Abbey, Netley Village Writers, novelists, poets, composers, artists from across the centuries have been drawn to Netley, find out about the links to famous detectives, lost poets, country churchyards and medieval monks
“The person, be it
gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel – must be intolerably stupid” Northanger Abbey
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Gothic Literary Festival AT ST EDMUND’S CHURCH NETLEY VILLAGE OCTOBER 16-22
The Theme of the Festival is the Gothic, Jane Austen’s gothic spoof Northanger Abbey and Netley’s literary heritage. Details and booking information www.theberrytheatre.co.uk MONDAY OCTOBER 16
PHILIP HOARE Spike Island & Beyond. Philip Hoare, novelist, performer and visiting professor at the University of Southampton will be talking about his seminal history of Netley ‘Spike Island’. JOSEPH SALE The Cathedral of the Deep: What Gothic is & How to Write It. Joseph Sale is passionate about the king of the Gothic, Horace Walpole and will be running a workshop on the origins of Gothic from Walpole to neo-noir; you will be guided through the process of writing horror/gothic fiction. TUESDAY OCTOBER 17
DALE TOWNSEND ‘they are not the ruins of Netley, but of Paradise’: Literature, Art and Tourism at Netley Abbey 1700-1850. Dale Townsend is professor of Gothic Literature at the Centre for Gothic Studies, Manchester and one of the team behind the British Library’s recent exhibition on the gothic, and will talk about Netley Abbey and the 18th century’s love affair with gothic tourism. WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 18
GILLIAN DOW ‘Remember we are English’: Gothic Villains, Sentimental Heroines, and
Northanger Abbey at 200. The Director of the Chawton House Library, former home of Jane Austen’s brother and now a renowned centre for the study of eighteenth century women writers, Gillian’s focus will be on the influences on Jane Austen’s novel ‘Northanger Abbey’. THURSDAY OCTOBER 19
ANN VICTORIA ROBERTS Passion and Possession: Bram Stoker, Moon Rising and Dracula. Ann is a local writer with an international following for her gothic novel ‘Moon Rising’ about Bram Stoker & Dracula, and will be giving an illustrated talk into the writing of historical fiction with a focus on the gothic. FRIDAY OCTOBER 20
NEIL MCCAW The Sherlock Holmes Phenomenon. Professor McCaw [it really should be Moriaty!] is a leading expert on Sherlock Holmes, and of course Dr Watson who did his medical training at Netley Hospital. Find out more in this engaging exposé about the lasting appeal of one of the world’s most famous detectives and his connections with the south of England.
Saturday & Sunday is Book Launch Weekend!
Saturday October 21 | Book Launch 11am CASSANDRA CLARK: THE ALCHEMIST AT NETLEY ABBEY. Cassandra Clark will unveil the latest in her medieval Hildegard of Meaux mystery series ‘The Alchemist of Netley Abbey’ set during the turbulent reign of Richard II .
12.15pm NETLEY & THE GOTHIC GUIDED WALK from the entrance gate to Netley Abbey, Netley Village. Find out how Netley inspired the gothic novel on a visit to one of the 18th century’s top visitor attractions. 1-2.30pm JOIN US FOR A LITERARY LUNCH, pop up book shop and meet the author event at The Prince Consort Pub, Netley - formerly the village mortuary...
2.30pm CHERYL BUTLER: JANE AUSTEN & SOUTHAMPTON SPA An illustrated talk launches the new book on ‘Jane Austen & Southampton Spa’ commissioned as part of the Jane Austen commemorations.
3.30pm SIMON SANDELL & JOHN HARE: NETLEY ABBEY, JANE AUSTEN & THE GOTHIC IMAGINATION Launch of the new Hampshire Paper ‘Netley Abbey, Jane Austen & the Gothic Imagination’ co-authors Simon Sandell from the University of Winchester and historic buildings expert John Hare will look at the historical development of the abbey and romantic writing. 4.30-6.30pm POP UP BOOKSHOP AND TEA ROOM
7.30pm PERFORMANCE OF BOILING POINT’S ‘HIDE’ The Berry Theatre writer in residence, and literary festival director Matt Beames, presents a new play taking inspiration from the story of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year. Sunday October 22 | Book Launch 10.30am Church Service at St Edmund’s with a literary twist. 11.30am LITERARY NETLEY GUIDED WALK, meet outside of St Edmund’s Find out about the links to famous detectives, lost poets, country churchyards and medieval monks.
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Sunday October 22 | Book Launch 1-2pm POP UP BOOKSHOP AND TEA ROOM 2pm ANNE-MARIE EDWARDS: JANE AUSTEN’S ENGLAND – A WALKER’S GUIDE A launch event for Anne-Marie’s new book, which is both a book and a practical guide to guide to walking in the footsteps of Jane Austen. 3pm MATT BEAMES: NEW TALES & OLD STORIES: RE-IMAGINING SIR BEVIS OF HAMPTON The Literary Festival closes with Festival Director Matt Beames giving a presentation with a difference for his latest work, a graphic comic book about the legendary local figure Sir Bevis whose ghost, some say, haunts Netley Abbey looking for his famous sword Mortglay. Find out more about the making of the graphic novel “Blood & Valour.”
“If adventure will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad” Northanger Abbey
Go online here to book your place: www.wegottickets.com/sarahsiddonsfanclub @SarahSiddonsFC | www.sarahsiddonsfanclub.org
Guided Walks Programme Walks start from various points, and all last approximately 1 ½ hours, unless stated otherwise. Walks are free, some have limited numbers and need to be pre-booked. For our walks we have availed ourselves of the talents of The Southampton Tourist Guides Association & The Hamble Valley Heritage Guides. Miss Jane was an avid walker whilst she lived in Southampton, and one of the walks will recreate an excursion she made.
Walks in SOUTHAMPTON JULY 2
10.30am
from The Bargate, High Street
Jane Austen & Southampton Spa - 1 ½ hours Walk Take a walk around the streets so familiar to Miss Austen and Miss Jane, who knew the town as schoolgirls, teenagers and young adults. It was all about connections, and that is what drew Mrs Austen and her daughters to set up home in Southampton. JULY 9
10.30am
from The Bargate, High Street
Trafalgar Days
- 1 ½ hours Walk
Jane Austen was famed for her love of the navy and sailors, and there was much to interest her in the town of Southampton. Find out about the town’s links to Nelson and other naval heroes. JULY 16
10.30am
The Juniper Berry, Upper Bugle Street
The Bits Jane Left Out - 1 ½ hours Walk Life in Georgian Southampton wasn’t all balls and reading novels, find out about the dark underbelly beneath the glittering spa town façade. @SarahSiddonsFC | www.sarahsiddonsfanclub.org
JULY 23
10.30am
outside Southampton Art Gallery, Civic Centre,
Officers & Gentlemen - 1 ½ hours Walk Southampton was a popular resort for nearly a hundred years, so popular that many wealthy people were looking for holiday homes in the town and speculators began to develop new suburbs outside the confines of the old walled town. Join us for a stroll around Regency Southampton. JULY 30
11am
from St Michael’s Square, Bugle Street
Pattens to Peartree
- 4 hour Walk
Places are limited. For further details or to book a place, please call Jean Watts on 023 8036 6449. Or online at wegottickets.com/sarahsiddonsfanclub
Jane, like her heroine Elizabeth Bennet, enjoyed long walks and thought nothing of a five mile stroll to call on her acquaintances. Pack a picnic and join your guide who will be re-creating Jane’s walk to Peartree to call on the Lances. AUGUST 20
11am
from the entrance to Southampton Old Cemetery, Cemetery Road
From Revolutionary Times to Waterloo - 1 ½ hours Walk As some paths are narrow, places are limited. To book, please telephone: 07538 888 655 (Mon to Fri 10am – 4pm) Or online at wegottickets.com/sarahsiddonsfanclub
Jane Austen lived through stirring times. This walk with the Friends of Southampton Old Cemetery (FoSOC) looks at some of those who fought the French at sea and on land. Includes a Tale of Trafalgar, battles from the Peninsular War and some stories from the Battle of Waterloo 1815.
“I walk: I prefer walking”
Persuasion
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AUGUST 27
2pm
from The Bargate, High Street
Jane Austen & Southampton Spa - 1 ½ hours Walk Take a walk around the streets so familiar to Miss Austen and Miss Jane, who knew the town as schoolgirls, teenagers and young adults. It was all about connections, and that is what drew Mrs Austen and her daughters to set up home in Southampton. OCTOBER 1
11.30am
from St Michael’s Square, Bugle Street
Jane Austen & Southampton Spa - 1 ¼ hours Walk as above
30, 31 October & 1 November
7.30pm A MYSTERY OF A HORRIBLE NATURE — LANTERN HALLOWEEN GHOST WALK, begins from the gates of Netley Abbey and With The Sarah Siddons Fan Club Theatre Bring a torch, wear sensible shoes, listen to the stewards. Walk not suitable for those with mobility issues. Tickets £7 from wegottickets.com/sarahsiddonsfanclub
Go online here to book your place: www.wegottickets.com/sarahsiddonsfanclub
SOUTHAMPTON WEEKEND EVENTS Saturday 30th SEPTEMBER & Sunday 1st OCTOBER Taking place in 3 venues with connections to Jane Austen Tudor House Museum*, St Michael’s Church & The Dolphin Hotel. Entry to Tudor House is Free on 30th September * Tudor House are not participating in the Sunday programme.
Go online here to book your place: www.wegottickets.com/sarahsiddonsfanclub @SarahSiddonsFC | www.sarahsiddonsfanclub.org
Saturday 30th SEPTEMBER St Michael’s Church
“I shall ask you how the Church is to be filled” Mansfield Park
SINGING & MUSIC WORKSHOPS WITH THE MADDING CROWD Venue: St Michael’s Church | Two workshops available: 11.30-12.30 & 2pm-3pm. The Madding Crowd performs music from the village bands & quires, that would have been so familiar to Jane Austen. Join in with singing and playing music from the Georgian heyday. If you would like to bring your own instrument along, please check with the secretary of the Madding Crowd below. To make sure of a place and for further information contact secretary@maddingcrowd.org or book online at www.wegottickets.com/sarahsiddonsfanclub The Madding Crowd will also be performing a concert at St Michael’s on Saturday Evening.
www.wegottickets.com/sarahsiddonsfanclub
Saturday 30th SEPTEMBER St Michael’s Church Go online here to book your place on our events: www.wegottickets.com/sarahsiddonsfanclub
“Without Music, life would be a blank to me” Emma
Meet The Ancestors: a Mini Tour of the Church
©Tobias Young, ‘Old Southampton’ Landsdowne Castle (Southampton Maritime and Local Heritage Collection)
SEPTEMBER 30
11am, 1pm & 3pm
St Michael’s Church
Tours last approximately 30 minutes meet at the main entrance to the Church. Discover the stories behind the Georgian memorials in St Michael’s Church with our local guides. @SarahSiddonsFC | www.sarahsiddonsfanclub.org
St Michael’s Church Saturday 30th September
EVENING CONCERT Venue: St Michael’s Event: Evening Concert with The Madding Crowd Time: D oors 7pm Concert begins 7.30pm (close approx. 9.30pm) An evening of music, narrative, poems, dramatized reading and a bit of dancing... It is rumoured that Miss Austen will attend, when we will undoubtedly benefit from her observations! The Madding Crowd is one of the largest and longest established of the revival groups specialising in West Gallery music. The specially curated concert will include music familiar to Jane Austen and featuring in her music book, as well as music and song that reflect the turbulent time in which the Austens lived. There will be an interval with refreshments provided by the Friends of St Michael’s and we ask that you book for catering purposes. The concert is free but donations to the historic St Michael’s Church appreciated.
Southampton born Charles Dibdin, a composer and performer, wrote “The Soldier’s Lament,” which Jane amended to “The Sailor’s Lament” in her copy.
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“Yes, yes, we will have a pianoforte, as good a one as can be got for 30 guineas, andI will practice country dances, that we may have some amusement for our nephews and nieces,� Letter
Go online here to book your place on our events: www.wegottickets.com/sarahsiddonsfanclub
@SarahSiddonsFC | www.sarahsiddonsfanclub.org
The Dolphin Hotel
Go online here to book your place on our events: www.wegottickets.com/sarahsiddonsfanclub
EMBROIDERY WORKSHOP
led by Charlotte Bailey of Hanging by a Thread The Dolphin Hotel, The Jane Austen Suite There will be two workshops: 11-12.30pm & 1.30-3pm
Jane Austen embroidered a handkerchief for her goddaughter whilst staying in Southampton. Learn one of the essential skills for any young lady of breeding, using original motifs for period handkerchiefs with graduate of the Royal School of Needlework, Charlotte Bailey. Numbers are limited and will need to be booked, the workshop is free but there will be a small charge of £6 for materials.
TEA WITH THE AUSTENS: JANE AUSTEN AND SCANDAL 4pm Tea, gossip and music in The Jane Austen Suite, The Dolphin Hotel
An Aunt on trial, the Hastings Scandal, bankruptcy and the Powlett Affair! Hear about the Austen family’s involvement in the scandals of the day. Enjoy cream tea with musical accompaniment by the baroque performers Quattrio, in the company of our speaker Clio O’Sullivan of the Chawton Library. Places need to be booked in advance and are only available for those who have booked the tea, £6pp to include tea, cake, scones and performance.
Saturday 30th SEPTEMBER
Tudor House
Let’s talk about Jane... A programme of talks illustrating life in Georgian Southampton; each talk is 30 minutes. Seats on first come, first served basis. 11.15am Georgian Ladies of Tudor House, with Miranda Murphy The fascinating lives of the occupants of Tudor House during the time of Jane Austen
12.00pm Jane’s School Days, with Clio O’Sullivan of the Chawton Library Jane’s unhappy and short-lived school days in Southampton ended with an outbreak of putrid fever but there was more to Jane’s early education and early writing than this traumatic experience.
12.45pm Sarah Siddons, Southampton Resident and contemporary of Jane Austen, with Geoff Watts The Stinking Fish of Southampton Festival is being organised by the Sarah Siddons Fan Club Theatre Company, so who was Sarah Siddons and why did she have an attitude?!
1.30pm The French Street Theatre, with June Effemy Jane Austen was not impressed with the French Street Theatre even though it hosted the top actors and performers of the 18th Century. Find out about the theatre and the theatre lodging house next door.
Go online here to book your place on our events: www.wegottickets.com/sarahsiddonsfanclub
2.15pm Jane Austen’s Landlord: The Marquis of Lansdowne, with Jean Watts The many paintings of Southampton Castle do not depict the medieval fortification but the gothic inspired residence of the notorious Marquis of Lansdowne, who among other things was Jane Austen’s landlord.
3.00pm Putrid Throat & Things Medical, with Mary South Jane Austen’s last unfinished novel ‘Sanditon’ pokes fun at the pretentions of a small provincial town re-inventing itself as a fashionable spa. Find out more about the ills and cures that were rife in Southampton during its spa heyday.
3.45pm Dress to Impress with Helen McArdle Helen runs a costume design business specialising in men’s Regency costume, and will be letting us in on the secrets of Regency fashion.
“I shall end an old maid & teach your ten children to embroider cushions”
Pride & Prejudice
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Sunday 1st OCTOBER St Michael’s Church St Michael’s Church Sunday Service
OCTOBER 1 10.30am St Michael’s Church Service
We are sure the above quote does not apply to the Vicar of St Michael’s! Miss Austen attended the more fashionable All Saints Church on the High Street, sadly bombed in WW2. St Michael’s Church Sunday Service – A service with a difference, with prayers written by Jane Austen and with a service that would resonate with Jane’s clergyman father and brothers – but that hopefully will not include a sermon by Mr Collins!!
“A clergyman has nothing to do but be slovenly & selfish – read the newspaper, watch the weather & quarrel with his wife”
Mansfield Park
OCTOBER 1
11.30am
Guided Walk from St Michael’s Square
Jane Austen & Southampton Spa - 1¼ hours Walk Take a walk around the streets so familiar to Miss Austen and Miss Jane, who knew the town as schoolgirls, teenagers and young adults. It was all about connections, and that is what drew Mrs Austen and her daughters to set up home in Southampton.
The Dolphin Hotel
The Dolphin Hotel Regency Dance Workshop OCTOBER 1
2-4pm
The Jane Austen Suite with the Duke of Wellington Dancers
Time to practice your moves, before the commemorative ball which will close the Southampton Jane Austen Festival. The ball will be held this very evening at 7pm, at The Dolphin Hotel.
Why not have a short break in Southampton? The Regency Dolphin Hotel are offering a special rate for festival attendees £105 B&B single occupancy £115 double per night for Friday and for Saturday and £70 single, £80 double for Sunday night. Please quote JANE AUSTEN BALL when booking: Dolphin Hotel, 34-35 High Street, Southampton SO14 2HN Call today: 023 8038 6473
“She was the sun of my life, the gilder of every pleasure”
Miss Cassandra Austen of Miss Jane Austen
Regency Banquet & Ball “To be fond of dancing was a rds certain step towa falling in love”
Pride & Prejudice
October 1 at 7pm Jane Austen Ball, The Dolphin Hotel Miss Austen danced at the Dolphin’s Assembly Balls, including with a French officer with ‘dark eyes’.
Learn the rules of the Ball, meet the Master of Ceremonies and the cream of Southampton Spa Society including the Marquis of Lansdowne and Lady Betty Craven as well as Jane Austen herself! The Ball will be led by The Duke of Wellington’s Dancers with music from Mrs Savages Whim and theatrical interludes from The Sarah Siddons Fan Club Theatre. Dressing up like Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet highly recommended The Dolphin Inn was the setting for the Southampton Assembly Balls. Join us for a 3 course dinner inspired from period menus especially designed by the Dolphin’s head chef. Dinner will be served promptly at 7pm in the main Dining Room, dancing commences in the Jane Austen Suite at 8.15pm. There will be a pause for pudding at 9.30pm with more dancing at 10pm.
“The prospect of the Netherfield Ball was extremely agreeable to every female of the family”
Pride & Prejudice
Tickets £45 Carriages at 11pm | Regency dress code Regency banquet, dancing, music, a welcome glass of punch & theatrical interludes
Go online here to book your place on our events: www.wegottickets.com/sarahsiddonsfanclub
With Gratitude
Our thanks to: Our speakers, our volunteers & helpers and our supporters: The Berry Theatre, Eastleigh Borough Council, English Heritage, Hound Parish Council, and most especially The Heritage Lottery Fund. The partners: • The Sarah Siddons Fan Club • Chawton House Library • The City of Southampton Society • The Diaper Heritage Association • The Duke of Wellington Dancers • The Friends of St Michael’s Church • The Friends of Southampton Old Cemetery • The Hamble Valley Heritage Guides • The Madding Crowd • The Southampton Tourist Guides Association • The University of the Third Age Local History Group
For more information on the festival contact: info@sarahsiddonsfanclub.org | www.sarahsiddonsfanclub.org tel 023 8086 2882
Hamble Quay Festival of Food Date: 2 September | Time: 10am -4pm Location: Hamble Quay, Hamble-le-Rice
Hamble village’s annual food festival is taking on a nautical theme in recognition of its links to Jane Austen’s naval brother Frank. The local shipyard built HMS Elephant, Nelson’s flagship at the battle of Copenhagen and later captained by Frank Austen. So look out for some additional treats as well as lots of delicious local produce. Visit www.hamblevalley.com
The Stinking Fish Festival
Opens 26th June & continues until October 2017
DATE
EVENT
26-30
“Taking The Flounce” street theatre performances
7.30pm
2 July
Jane Austen & Southampton Spa guided walk
10.30am
9 July
Trafalagar Days guided walk
10.30am
16 July
The Bits Jane Left Out guided walk
10.30am
23 July
Officers & Gentleman guided walk
10.30am
30 July
Pattens to Peartree guided walk
11am
6 Aug
Netley & the Gothic guided walk
11am
13 Aug
Literary Netley guided walk
11am
20 Aug
From Revolutionary Times to Waterloo guided walk
11am
27 Aug
Jane Austen & Southampton Spa guided walk
2pm
2 Sept
Fishy Food Festival
10am
30 Sept
tinking Fish of Southampton S All Day Festival
11am4.30pm
The Madding Crowd Concert
7.30pm
1 Oct
Special Sunday Service at St Michael’s Church
10.30am
1 Oct
Jane Austen & Southampton Spa Guided Walk
11.30am
1 Oct
Regency Dance Workshop
1 Oct
Regency Banquet & Ball
June
30 Sept
TIME
2-4pm 7pm
Literary Festival
various
30 Oct
Gothic Ghost Walk
7.30pm
31 Oct
Gothic Ghost Walk
7.30pm
1 Nov
Gothic Ghost Walk
7.30pm
16-22 Oct
@SarahSiddonsFC | www.sarahsiddonsfanclub.org