“I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like”
The 250th anniversary of Bath’s favourite writer is celebrated in fitting style with a new stage adaptation of Jane Austen’s comedy of manners, Emma.
The historic Theatre Royal Bath is the perfect setting to launch this new tour as the Georgian splendour of the city encapsulates the backdrop for many of Austen’s characters and stories.
The beautiful, high-spirited Emma Woodhouse is determined that she will never marry but loves to meddle in her friends’ and neighbours’ relationships. When her confidante and former governess, Miss Taylor weds her fiancé Mr Weston, Emma, having introduced the couple, takes credit for the marriage and decides that a future in matchmaking lies ahead of her.
So begins a comic journey through the lives and loves of Emma’s friends and neighbours, embracing the burgeoning Regency social scene of Bath and Weymouth. But as the romantic web she weaves amongst her friends becomes ever more entangled, will Emma herself get swept up in true love’s wake…?
Jane Austen’s enduring novel is filled with memorable characters - the dashing Mr Knightley, Emma’s friends Jane Fairfax and Harriet Smith, the mercenary Reverend Elton and his delightfully pretentious wife Augusta. This new 250th anniversary stage production is adapted by Ryan Craig, whose recent works includes the world premiere of Charlotte and Theodore in the Ustinov Studio and 1984 in the Main House.
SPECIAL EVENT - prior to the matinee on 18 September, Gill Hornby, writer of the novel and the acclaimed BBC adaptation of Miss Austen, will be in conversation with Jane Tapley, TRB's Special Events Organiser as part of the Jane Austen Festival. CLICK HERE for more information.
JANE AUSTEN: Fact or Fiction with Gill Hornby, Thursday 18 September, 11am.
Tour Dates 2025
23 - 27 September Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford
29 September - 4 October Birmingham Rep
7 - 11 October Sheffield Lyceum
13 - 18 October Malvern Theatre
20 - 25 October Oxford Playhouse
4 - 8 Nov Chichester Festival Theatre
10 - 15 November Lighthouse, Poole
more dates tbc
