Those who come to this blog regularly know I’ve written about Chris Brindle’s musical play of Jane Austen’s Sanditon completed by way of Anna Lefroy’s extension before, and of an available DVD. Well here is a reminder that the performance is now 11 days away (!) in London, at the “other place,” Victoria, in London, Friday, July 26th, 8 pm.
Once again the poster:
Just below (as prelude) the song “Dishonoured’ in rehearsal. In this version of events Mr Tracy manages to bring down the Bank of Eastbourne, from which Tom Parker is borrowing money to pay for the land he is buying from Lady Denham, and where Lady Denham has all her money on deposit. Because of this Lady Denham is outraged that she cannot afford to buy a new coach. Thus
A narrated concert version of a proposed full stage production. They are using a small stage in a cabaret like environment. Lovely and rousing songs, a remarkable contemporary story, intriguing colorful characters, some originally invented by Austen. See also for more information, pictures, music https://twitter.com/brindle_chris
I wish I could go …
Ellen
Reveries Under the Sign of Austen, Two 
I might as well mention that Andrew Davies’s adaptation of Austen’s Sanditon in 8 one hour parts for the BBC (and PBS) is now filming in the Georgian museum in Bristol.
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/filming-bristol-itv-georgian-museum-2837789
“Interesting. Thanks for sharing, Ellen. Unfortunately, in the video clip the piano is so loud I can’t understand what the actors are singing. It reminds me more of Gilbert and Sullivan than pop rock. I can’t say I’m overly impressed. It will be interesting to see how it does.
Tyler”
What I liked about Brindle’s Sanditon: one, the play itself which develops Anna LeFroy’s continuation. I feel her continuation is the only one thus far to be in Austen’s spirit. I heard an interesting paper arguing that Brindle’s conclusion, using Lefroy’s continuation is a good one. I linked a summary into the blog somewhere or other
I should say Brindle is a relative; Anna Lefroy is his great-great-great or something like that grandmother. So he is another of indirect Austen family descendant. His connection is why he knows a lot about the Lefroy family, and has been able to film on one of their properties.
Two, the lyrical songs; I have found those I’ve heard (two live and two on audio) very appealing. One is beautiful (I think)
And he’s been very friendly and generous in a couple of ways on line — sending me pdfs of a beautiful book by a contemporary watercolor artist (Austen’s Hampshire and era) . Of course he wants to make friends, but he didn’t have to with me in this way.
I did (I hope) link one of these songs in to one of the five blogs I’ve written (three directly on the play or its music, two were blogs where sections of the blog concern Sanditon).
The song below was done live at the Chawton house library conference for Charlotte Smith — it has nothing to do with Charlotte Smith. “The Blue Briny Sea:”
From Chris:
“Hi Ellen,
Very many thanks for that. I’m starting to try and understand Twitter and my handle is @brindle_chris Is that one of your platforms ?
This is just fascinating material to work with. The performance on 26th July has grown from a “Narrated Concert” to a “Scaled Down Performance” and I realise that this material can be performed in so many different ways. Today we move from my dining room to the local theatre in Colchester, ‘The Headgate’ just to get a bit more ‘room’. Attached is something I put together in the garden yesterday. Lady Denham tries to get heiress Miss Lambe’s ‘honour’ compromised in a sea bathing machine, forcing a marriage with her nephew by marriage Sir Edward Denham. When her scheme fails she tries to get the sympathy of the audience…..
On the 16th we’ll be running three cameras on the performance, so will hope to put something together on DVD.
Chris
[…] I’ve written too many blog-reviews and commentaries on Chris Brindle’s filmed play of Sanditon, and a couple of the songs, so will be brief in my introduction to an on-line YouTube of the musical Sanditon as it played in London this past late July. […]