The year 2017 marks the 200th anniversary of the death of British author, Jane Austen. It is no exaggeration to say that Austen is one of the most beloved novelists of all time. A 2003 BBC poll placed her masterpiece, Pride and Prejudice, in the #2 spot in their list of the “UK’s Best Loved Books,” right behind Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings.” A 2008 Australian survey pegged Pride and Prejudice on top of the “101 Best Books Ever Written.”
Pride and Prejudice was not Austen’s first novel, however. That distinction belongs to the equally beloved, Sense and Sensibility, which Austen self-published under the pseudonym of “A Lady,” in 1811, and the novel has been in continuous publication ever since.
While Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility dealt with the trials, tribulations and concerns of genteel women in the Goergian-Regency period, Austen’s Emma is much more light-hearted. This comedy of manners continues to resonate with contemporary audience as evidenced by its popular 1995 hit film adaptation, “Clueless.”
The internationally-acclaimed playwright Paula K. Parker adapted the novels with an eye for authenticity and a determination to maintain the integrity of the original work. “There is a tendency for some contemporary playwrights to inject their own values or agendas into their scripts when they adapt a popular novel for the stage or screen,” Parker declared. “But Jane Austen’s works stand on their own. Lizzy Bennet, Mr. Darcy, Emma Woodhouse, and the Dashwood sisters are delightful characters as Jane Austen created them, without trying to infect them with 21st Century proclivities.”
In honor of the 200th anniversary of the Austen’s amazing literary legacy, WordCrafts Theatrical Press is declaring 2017 The Year Jane Austen Takes Center Stage. To celebrate, they are offering community theaters free perusal copies of Parker’s stage adaptions of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility, and Jane Austen’s EMMA through digital download in all major eBook formats. To get your free perusal copy of any or all of the scripts just send an email to pr@wordcrafts.net and be sure to “Jane Austen” in the subject line. We’ll send you a link to the download site and a coupon code for a 100% discount. There is no obligation.
Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice is available for amateur and professional productions from WordCrafts Theatrical Press. The cast requires 11 males & 17 females with possible doubling of roles.
Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility is available for amateur and professional productions from WordCrafts Theatrical Press. The cast requires 13 males & 10 females with possible doubling of roles.
Jane Austen’s EMMA is available for amateur and professional productions from WordCrafts Theatrical Press. The cast requires 7 males & 9 females with possible doubling of roles.