Surrey Celebrates Jane Austen at 250
Fri 30 May, 4.30-6pm: Talks & Discussion, 7.30-10pm: Mansfield Park performance
Sat 31 May, 11.15am-1.30pm: Talks & Discussion, 2.30-5pm: Mansfield Park performance
Free Talks, Mansfield Park ticketed
Venue: PATS, University of Surrey
It is a truth universally acknowledged that 2025 is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth. Born in Steventon, Hampshire on the 16 December 1775, Jane Austen remains adored worldwide, and her novels are published in over 40 languages. While most commonly associated with Hampshire, Surrey features in
Emma (1816), famous for its pivotal picnic on Box Hill, and in her unfinished novel,
The Watsons (1804).
Join us at the University of Surrey’s School of Arts, Humanities & Creative Industries (SAHCI) for a series of FREE expert talks that will consider contexts, themes, and musical references in Austen’s novels, as well as offering an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at an exciting new adaptation of Mansfield Park.
Events will be split over two days, featuring talks from university staff and students, as well as Jane Austen’s House Museum. Please see the full line-up below.
Talks will be followed by a GSA performance of the Mansfield Park play by
Louis Emmitt-Stern.
A ticket to the talks does not generate a ticket for the production of Mansfield Park and must be purchased separately.
Tickets for the talks includes free access to light refreshments.
Line-Up: Full details to be announced
Friday 30th May
4.30pm: Welcome
4.40 to 6pm: Talks on Specific works
Pride and Prejudice – Prof. Annika Bautz
Sense & Sensibility – Dr Charlotte Mathieson
Persuasion: Prof. Patricia Pulham
6pm: Reception w/light refreshments
(7.30pm: Mansfield Park performance from GSA)
Sat 31st May
11.15am: Pre-show talk with cast & creatives of GSA
12 midday: Roundtable on Mansfield Park – Darren Tunstall & Dr Beth Palmer
12.35pm: 250 Years of Jane Austen, A Life and Legacy - Jane Austen’s House Museum 12.55pm: Jane Austen & Music – Dr Chris Wiley & Surrey music students
1.30pm: Lunch w/light refreshments
(2.30pm: Mansfield Park performance from GSA)
Parking
Fees apply, we have 4 Pay and Display car parks operated by Ringo, for more details:
Parking | University of Surrey.
How to get to Us
Please see the Stag Hill campus section here:
How to get here | University of Surrey. We are a 20min walk from Guildford station, and serviced by the number 1 and number 17 bus that runs between the station and various university locations.
All those who sign up to the event will get a pre-event email with further details on how to find PATS Studio 1 on the day.
