Dorking Halls is preparing to celebrate 250 years since the birth of Jane Austen with a very special performance this summer in Meadowbank Park.
The central Dorking park will set the alfresco scene for Austen’s most famous tale, Pride and Prejudice, on Sunday 13th July; a dazzling adaptation suitable for all ages from 10 plus. Performed by Illyria, the renowned award-winning outdoor theatre company that has received unparalleled critical acclaim, the live show will blow the dust off the stuffy costume drama to create a production that is sparkling, vibrant and fresh, whilst remaining true to the original Austen text.
Pride and Prejudice tells the story of Lizzy Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy who, in a whirlwind of balls, dinners and very eligible officers, stand alone as the only sane, thoughtful people – yet they also hate each other! As the tale unfolds, will Lizzy see beyond Darcy’s pride and will he succeed in combatting her prejudice, in order to achieve happiness?
Jane Austen, who was born in Steventon, Hampshire in 1775, had well-known ties to Dorking, having set the famous picnic scene in her novel, Emma, on Box Hill – with this famous highlight of the Surrey Hills National Landscape visible from Meadowbank Park. With 2025 marking the 250th birthday of Jane Austen’s birth, Dorking Halls is also inviting anyone that comes to see Pride and Prejudice to wear Regency dress and channel their inner Lizzy and Darcy, Mr and Mrs Bennet, Lydia and Mr Collins, or any of the story’s many other fascinating characters for the chance to win a prize for ‘Best Dressed’.
Taking place in the picturesque park for a quintessentially English experience, the stage will be set for open-air entertainment under summer skies, with people encouraged to pre-order a temptingly traditional Cream Tea of scones with jam and clotted cream, bring a rug or chairs, pack a picnic or visit Dorking Halls’ outdoor Bar for drinks and snacks to make the most of their alfresco theatre experience.
Pride and Prejudice will take place at 4pm on Sunday 13th July as part of Dorking Halls’ annual Plays In The Park, which will also include a family-friendly performance of Robin Hood by Folksy Theatre (at 3pm on Saturday 12th July) and the popular Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club (at 7pm on Saturday 12th July).
To book tickets for Pride and Prejudice or any of the other Plays In The Park events, call the Dorking Halls’ Box Office on 01306 881717 or visit dorkinghalls.co.uk.
To win a pair of tickets, please answer the following question:
Q: 2025 marks the 250th birthday of who?
Please enter by 29th June 2025
