ALTON’S Public Gardens provided the backdrop for a youthful celebration of the works of Jane Austen with an open-air theatre production of ‘Potted Jane’.

Run by Alton Town Council, in collaboration with students from Alton College, Alton Convent, Amery Hill and Eggar’s, last Saturday’s event was staged on the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen leaving Chawton for the last time before she moved to Winchester, where she died a few weeks later on July 18, 1817.

Despite rain showers, the students showed great resilience as they enthusiastically delivered outstanding performances to the delight of the devoted audience.

New Alton mayor Dean-Paul Phillips, acting as compere, introduced the afternoon’s performers.

The celebration began with radio play adaptations of Northhanger Abbey by Alton Convent School.

Miranda Hodgson, head of English, said: “Alton Convent School had a fantastic time on Saturday, despite the rain. Our year nine pupils very much enjoyed creating and performing their radio play scripts of Northanger Abbey.”

The second performance of the day was ‘A Peep at Pride and Prejudice’ delivered by Alton College in beautiful Regency-style costumes kindly loaned for the occasion by the Jane Austen House museum.

Kevin Davey, the college’s drama and theatre studies subject leader, said: “The students have loved working on A Peep at Pride and Prejudice. We wanted to adapt the opening of the novel to the stage in an engaging and creative manner for the audience and I’m so proud of their total commitment and dedication in achieving that aim.”

Eggar’s School entertained the audience with their modern Jane Austen adaptation originally entitled ‘Jane Austen’s Guide to Dating’.

Town councillor Olabisi Eni-Olotu, teacher of music and drama, said: “Eggar’s School had a wonderful time preparing Jane Austen’s Modern Guide to Dating and we enjoyed celebrating the life and works of Jane Austen with the next generation.”

The final performance of the afternoon was by Amery Hill School, whose pupils eloquently staged the ‘Potted Austen Project’.

Neil Gibbs, drama tutor: “This project has allowed my drama students to learn more about Jane Austen’s writing as well how to develop street theatre experience.”

Alton Town Council has expressed “special thanks to the teachers and students for taking time out from their busy curriculum schedules to join in with the celebrations of Jane Austen in creating their own unique interpretations of her work”.

Thanks are also extended to Alton Women’s Institute for providing cakes and soft drinks, Esdevium Games who delivered demonstrations of three of their top-selling games, the representatives from Chawton House library who provided samples of chocolate brownies, councillor Pam Jones who ran children’s craft activities making bonnets and top hats, and the organisers of Alton’s Regency Week who provided details of the activities that will take place from June 17-25.

In summing up the event, Mr Phillips said: “What a great opening for the town’s Jane Austen 200 celebrations and the word dedication sums up the day; from the students in learning their roles and giving great performances to those Altonians for braving the weather, and to everyone else involved in making this day possible.”