Ep 7 - Jane Austen and the Theatre (with Dr David Taylor)

Ever wanted to time travel back to the theatre in Jane Austen's time? Find out in this podcast with world expert, Dr David Taylor of St Hugh's College, Oxford, what Jane Austen would have seen when she entered a theatre in the 1790s. Who was there and what did it look like? What plays were on offer? Which writers inspired her? Were there special effects and what were they like? Turning from this, we go on to discuss the influence on her work, particularly looking at Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park. Finally we turn to the knotty question of which is the best dramatic adaptation of her novels in our age - and you may be surprised by David's answer!