From Pemberley to Pipitea: Jane Austen's 250th Birthday

From the drawing rooms of Georgian England to the dusty streets of Victorian Wellington – the pretensions of polite society never change.

To mark 250 years since the birth of Jane Austen, her wildly funny Juvenilia is brought to life, including The Beautifull Cassandra, The History of England, Love and Friendship – and more.

Between Austen’s sharpest barbs you’ll hear genuine gems from New Zealand’s early newspapers, courtesy of Papers Past: gossip, pomposity, early etiquette advice, and scandalous society mishaps.

The result? A sparkling, one hour romp proving that the absurdities of status, marriage and manners travel across oceans, continents and centuries.

Performed as a series of readings with lightning character swaps, sly narration, and just a hint of scandal, this is Austen as you’ve never heard her: young, bold, and perfectly at home in 19th century Wellington!

This event is part of Wellington Heritage Festival 2025.