by Emily Smith
“It is such a happiness when good people get together – –
and they always do.” – Emma
DAY THREE – Saturday, September 15, 2018
I awoke in the morning and donned the first of the Regency gowns that I made myself for the trip and hiked up the steep streets of Bath past Camden Crescent, where the Elliots took their lodgings in Persuasion, for a Regency-style breakfast hosted by Jane Tapley. There I had the opportunity to drink the same tea blend the Austens used to drink in their home as well as carb-loaded on a variety of different breads and pastries, all very decadent!
From there I headed back down the hill to the Royal Crescent where over 400 people were gathered in their Regency finery for the official opening of the Jane Austen Festival – the Grand Regency Promenade. With much pomp and circumstance, His Majesty’s 33rd Regiment of Foot led us through the streets of Bath where thousands gathered to watch. Our path took us down the gravel walk, through the Circus, past the Assembly Rooms, down Milsom Street, past the Baths and Pump Room, and finally ending up at the Parade Gardens on the bank of the River Avon. It was quite a sight to see so many people milling about the beautiful gardens in all their Regency costumes. It felt as if I had traveled back in time 200 years or at the very least was on the set of a Jane Austen film adaptation.
Then the Festival Fayre began! There was much shopping to be had with all the Regency costumes and accessories for sale. I watched a very funny theatrical adaptation of Pride and Prejudice (which included a Mr. Darcy puppet that was sprayed with water to reenact the wet shirt scene from the 1995 BBC adaptation, not quite to the same effect).
Later I partook in the “Austen Undone!” theatrical comedy walk through the streets of Bath in which the acting troupe acted out the “lost first novel of Jane Austen” (if only there really were more of her novels to be discovered!). It was hilariously clever and one of the highlights of the festival for me.
And then the evening was topped off by the Country Dance Ball held in the Guildhall, which I had been looking forward to. There in all my Regency finery, I ate and drank, made many new friends, and danced every dance (ensuring that I did no more than two dances with any one partner – wouldn’t want to create a scandal). I like to think I would have made Jane Austen, who loved dancing herself, very proud!
Breakfast with Jane Tapley
The Grand Regency Promenade
Emily at the Parade Gardens
