2017- The 200th Anniversary of Jane Austen’s death

Jane Austen, who is best known for novels Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Mansfield Park and Sense and Sensibility, died at the age of 41 years on July 18th, 1817.  She was born in Hampshire and lived in Southampton, Bath and Oxford.  She died in Winchester and is buried in the cathedral there.

Hampshire specifically will be putting on many events throughout 2017 to celebrate her literary genius and some events actually started already in 2016.  There is a permanent exhibition beside her grave in Winchester Cathedral (in the north nave aisle).  This exhibition started on Oct 11/16 and runs until the end of 2017. From Feb 4/17-Nov 4/17 there is a Jane Austen Tour and Tea in the Cathedral to enable you to learn more about Jane.  Also in Winchester, 12 of Jane's quotes appear when it rains!  This event is called "Rain Jane." A copy of the trail where these quotes can be found is at the Winchester Tourist office.  "Rain Jane" started Nov 4/16 and ends May 31/17.

Fron March 8-11, 2017 at the Haymarket on Wote Street in Basingstoke, there will be an adaption of Jane Austen's play "Northanger Abbey."  

Also in March, on March 9th and 10th, 2017, will run the play "Lipservice present Mr. Darcy loses The Plot."  This will be at the Theatre Royal, Winchester.

 Chawton House Library in Chawton Hampshire, sees 3 events in March.  The first one is on March 11th, 2017 at 2pm, where people will have a chance to discuss Jane Austen's unfinished novel "Sandition."  Three speakers will read sections over tea and cake.

The second event at Chawton House Library is on March 16th, 2017 at 6:30pm. Professor Gillian Russell will discuss private theatricals in Jane Austen's world.  On March 23rd, 2017 at 6:30pm, 2 sopranos and a foretepianist perform a miniature opera setting of Jane Austen's "A History of England" and other vocal works about women in the Georgian era.

Pantaloons Theatre company presents "Pride and Prejudice" on Marh 24th, 2017 in New Milton, Hampshire at Forest Arts Centre.  The production starts at 7:30pm.

Running from April 24, 2017-August 21, 2017 at Winchester College Treasurey at Winchester College in Winchester, is an exhibition titled "Educating Boys and Girls in Jane Austen's England 1775-1817." This explores how the classical education offered to boys was different from that offered to girls at that period and how, during Jane's lifetime, there was a growing debate over changing this.

From May 13, 2017-July 24th, 2017 there will be an exhibition of one piece of clothing that can be traced back to Jane, first editions of her work, portraits and personal letters.  There will be things on loan from private lenders and the National Portrait Gallery.  The location on the website only states Winchester at this point.

Jane's home, the village of Chawton, will open its gardens on June 10th and 11th, 2017. The gardens of the library and the Jane Austen House Museum will be open as well as other ones in the village.  People will be able to walk from Chawton to Farringdon, a walk that Jane probably did quite frequently.

Chawton House Library is hosting "Regency Week" from June 18-23rd, 2017 during which time it will have the following events:

June 18th at 11am:  meet the Shire horse and from 2:30-5pm:  a walk around the gardens.
June 19th, 21st and 23rd:  an exclusive tour of the exhibition:  Fickle Fortunes - Jane Austen and Germaine de Stael.
June 20th and 22nd:  embroidery workshops (10:30-noon)
June 21st: evening lecture from 6:30-8pm (with drinks and canapes) "Comic Muse:  How Jane Austen loved the theatre and why she works in Hollywood."

Alton Library, in Alton, Hamphire, is the home to the Jane Austen collection that features editions dating back to the 1900's.  On June 19th, 2017 from 2-4pm, there will be a drop in with a local historian to discuss this unique collection.

On July 7th, 2017, Chawton House Library will host another event at 6:30pm.  This is called "Entertaining Miss Austen."  The pieces of this concert have been drawn from 17 music albums that belonged to her and her female relations.  The performance will be will soloist Amanda Pitt and pianist David Owen Norris.

July 8th and 9th, 2017 will feature the Hampshire based theatre company 2TimeTheatre present the world premiere of Meeting Miss Austen.  This will be at the Winchester Discovery centre as part of the Winchester Festival.

On July 12-July 15th, 2017, see an outdoor perfrmance of "Young Jane" inn the grounds of Longstock Nursery, Waitrose Farm, Leckford Estate, Stockbridge, Hampshire.  This is inspired by Jane Austen's teenage writings.  The performance includes readings from some of her letters as well as songs and dances of the period.

July 15th - July 22nd,2017 wil see the drama "Persuasion" which will be an adaptation of Jane's last novel.  This will be performed at the Chesil Theatare, Chesil Street, Winchester, Hampshire at 7:45pm.

On the anniversary of Jane's death, July 18th, 2017, Winchester Cathedral will hold a special Evensong service at 5:30pm.  Winchester Cathedral will be ticketing the seats in anticipation of a large interest in this event.  Free tickets will be available from March 1, 2017.

From July 29-Oct 7, 2017 at Willlis Museum, Sainsbury Gallery, Market Square Basingstoke, will be featured an exhibition about Jane's life, work and her relationship to Hampshire and specifically, the social life at that time.

You can go to the janeausten200.co.uk website for more information.