We're delighted to be bringing a timeless tale by Jane Austen to Tewkesbury this autumn through a brand-new collaboration with the town's historic abbey church.

This autumn, we'll be presenting the beloved classic Pride & Prejudice, performed by actors from national touring company The Production Garden, whose work has previously been described as "heart-warming" (British Theatre Guide) and "joyful" (The Bath Magazine).

Our new partnership with Tewkesbury Abbey is part of our ambition to bring more theatre to venues across the town, creating exciting new opportunities for audiences to experience live performance in unique spaces.

"A Real Corker!"

"We're always looking for ways to present amazing productions from all over the country here in Tewkesbury – both inside our theatre and in as many other venues as we can," explains our Artistic Director, Derek Bond.

"We're so excited that our first production is such a corker!"

The stage adaptation of Pride & Prejudice – immortalised for many through various screen versions, including the 1995 TV series starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth and the 2005 film starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen – promises to be something special.

The play will be performed amid the glorious architecture and magical atmosphere of one of Tewkesbury's most iconic spaces. It will also be presented "in the round", meaning the audience will surround the actors and become part of the action.

"Something Really Special"

The production previously enjoyed a sold-out run at Bath Abbey, a place Jane Austen herself knew well. The show's director, Matt Emeny, says a beautiful setting makes all the difference.

"There's something really special about performing such a classic tale in such a breathtaking space," he enthuses. "It gives the actors and audience alike that little bit of extra magic. The play becomes a real event – an unforgettable experience, really."

Four actors will tell the famous story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy, bringing a sense of fun to the classic while delivering all the romance, suspense and wit for which Austen's novel is so beloved.

"It's just a great night out," adds Emeny, who also adapted the novel for this stage version. "We bring out all the character in the story, and we let ourselves be just a little bit irreverent."

"A Great Place to Be"

The five performances are a real coup for Tewkesbury, says Will Jones, Chief Operating Officer of Tewkesbury Abbey.

"Bringing high-quality theatre like this into our community buildings is such a wonderful thing for the town," he explains. "There's something about creating shared cultural experiences in these special places that really brings people together – and puts us on the map!"

We hope Pride & Prejudice will be the first of many productions we'll present with the Abbey, helping to grow the town's cultural offer while also benefiting the local economy.

"Not only are productions like this fantastic for building community and creating lasting memories," Derek says. "To paraphrase Jane, it's a truth universally acknowledged that brilliant theatre like this makes our whole town a great place to be too!"

Classics in the Abbey: Pride & Prejudice will be performed from Tuesday 29 September to Saturday 3 October at Tewkesbury Abbey. Tickets are available here.