“Dear, dear Norland!” said Marianne, as she wandered alone before the house, on the last evening of their being there; “when shall I cease to regret you!—

Our popular ‘Reading Aloud’ evenings take inspiration from Jane Austen’s own habit of reading her own works to family and friends in the Drawing Room of Jane Austen’s House.

This event will focus on Jane’s first published novel, Sense and Sensibility. As part of a small and exclusive audience, you’ll settle down for a lively reading by fantastic actors Hollie Hales and Adam Cunis – bringing Jane Austen’s beloved story to life.

We’ll start at the beginning, meeting the Dashwood family and setting the scene at Norland Park, and enjoy the first five chapters of the novel – taking us up to the Dashwoods leaving Norland for Barton Cottage.

As a master of dialogue, Jane Austen’s works are best enjoyed out loud, and this delightful performance will bring the characters alive in the very room in which Jane gave voice to them herself.

After the reading, we’ll enjoy a drinks in the Historic Kitchen and toast our inimitable and extraordinary authoress.

Details:
Date: Sunday 4 May 2025
Performance times: 6pm – 7pm OR 7.45pm – 8.45m
Location: This event is at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton. Find us
Tickets: £35

☕ This event includes refreshments, please let us know on booking if you have any dietary requirements.

 This event is part of our Spring Fling: Sense and Sensibility Festival, running from 1 – 11 May 2025

About the performers:

Hollie Hales trained at RADA. Her recent audio work includes Tales of a Monstrous Heart by Jennifer Delaney, Bookishly Ever After by Mia Page (Audible) and Charles Dickens: A Brain on Fire “The Gordon Riots” podcast.

Adam Cunis’s recent work includes A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bridge Theatre), Macbeth Storytelling (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse) and The Woman in the Moon (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse).