8th December 2012 - Austentation at Anthony Blay

Who better to perform on the 8^th day of our Living Advent Calendar and outside a formal Menswear specialist (Anthony Blay on Rose Street) but a trio of musicians who hark back to days of bodices, corsets and top hats!

Austentation are a Regency Musical Trio, with Frank and Angela Underwood on romantic guitar and Gillie Tunley on vocals and percussion. They perform popular tunes and airs from the time of Jane Austen, including "The Irishman", a witty and incisive song written by Jane Austen herself. They have performed in the splendid domed Prince Regent's Music Room at the Royal Pavilion, Jane Austen's house at Chawton, the Jane Austen Centre and the Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath.

But it was not just the music, Gillie, Frank and Angela were dressed up in fashions of the time adding an extra element to the performance. The only thing missing was a light dusting of snow and out Regency Christmas would have been complete.

Regency versions of Carols and less well known Regency Era songs were sung. I was intrigued to learn when I got home that many well known carols had a completely different tune in the Regency Era than today.

Photos by Anne Coffey and Tony Hewetson.

Thanks to Anthony Blay (www.anthonyblay.co.uk/) for hosting last nights event.

Tonight we hope you can make it to Bookends on Peach Street for a literary performance.