As part of the Heritage Open Day events, 2TimeTheatre are performing a work drawn from archival sources and literary references to food in Jane Austen’s papers and works. It is engagingly called ‘Pies and Prejudice’ and is to be performed on 10 and 11 September at Abbey House, Winchester. HAT has recently provided a grant of £500 towards the costs. To book or join the waiting list go to
https://www.winchesterheritageopendays.org/in-person-events/2021/9/10/pies-and-prejudice
The work ‘Pies and Prejudice’ are described as an entertaining exploration of the significance of food, based on the letters and novels of Jane Austen. Two characters, Jenny the new cook and Charlotte, the lady of the house, share opinions on food, health, gardening and marriage in a piece written by 2TimeTheatre’s Artistic Director, Cecily O’Neill (Meeting Miss Austen, Keats: A Fruitful Season, Lewd Women and Female Felons), Cecily O’Neill said: “Food is always cropping up in Austen’s work and correspondence. It was clearly both a pleasure for her and also a way in which she could indicate status in the social occasions in her books. She also uses an over-indulgence – or under-indulgence – in meat and drinks to show a character’s weakness or hypocrisy. Remember Mr Woodehouse’s obsession with soft-boiled eggs?”.Performed by professional actors, Jilly Bond and Stacy Hart, ‘Pies and Prejudice’ will be staged in the gracious reception room of Abbey House, the Mayor’s Residence, Winchester. You must book in advance.