Regency Era fans host 'Sense and Sensibility' at the Pix and tea

By Nancy Raskauskas

The Entertainer

ALBANY - Fans of acclaimed English writer Jane Austen and the Regency Era (1790-1820), the period after the Georgian time of powdered wigs and gaudy satins, but before the Victorian time of dull straitlaced staidness, that she brought so vividly to life in her novels, can rejoice at the chance to try on their poke bonnets and empire-waist gowns and spend a day celebrating Austen this Sunday in Albany.

The festivities will begin with a special showing of 1995's Academy Award-winning film "Sense and Sensibility" at 11 a.m. at the Pix Theatre, 321 Second Ave. S.W.

Admission will be $10 at the door.

The film, directed by Ang Lee, is based on the book by Jane Austen and the screenplay adapted by Emma Thompson, who stars in the film along with Hugh Grant and Kate Winslet.

Numerous film versions have been made of all Austen's novels, which also include "Pride & Prejudice," "Emma," "Mansfield Park," "Northanger Abbey" and "Persuasion."

Event organizer and historical film afficionado Teresa Stout said that she and fellow organizers chose "Sense and Sensibility" because it was one of the films that they really liked.

"We didn't get 'Pride and Prejudice' because there are so many versions," she said, adding that 2007's "Becoming Jane," a film based on Austen's life, was also considered, but they decided it was too recently released.

Attendees at the film showing will also have the chance to win raffle prizes.

"We're giving away a full Regency dress, what's called a Spencer jacket and a poke bonnet," Stout said.

The bonnet, decorated in creamy colors, was created by Stout and the dress and jacket by LaNette Johnston.

The two are members of the Oregon Regency Society and

are the master seamstresses behind Elysian Designs, a business that they co-own.

"We did the business because of our love of doing costuming," Stout said.

Period costumes are encouraged, but not required at Sunday's events, according to Stout, who expects that about three-fourths of the guests at the afternoon tea, which will follow the film. The tea will be at 2 p.m. at the Cascade Grill, 110 Opal Court (next to the Holiday Inn Express), guests will wear apparel that they've styled after the Regency Era.

The tea will have a variety of hot teas, tea sandwiches, desserts, and the chance to chat with other Regency Era enthusiasts.

Several members of the Portland and Eugene Regency societies are expected to attend, according to Stout.

Tickets to the tea are $15. Those who are planning to attend both the film showing and the tea can save $2 by ordering their tickets through the Elysian Designs Web site (www.elysian-designs.com).

For those who are curious what Regency costumes look like, Stout suggests checking out the Oregon Regency Society's Web site, www.oregonregencysociety.com, and the Sense and Sensibility

Patterns Web site, www.sensibility.com.

Depending on the turnout, this event might become an annual one, according to Stout.

AUSTEN AFTERNOON

"Sense and Sensibility" (1995 academy award-winning film), 11 a.m. Sunday, March 29, Pix Theatre, 321 Second Ave. S.W., Albany. Cost: $10, includes raffle drawing. Information: www.albanypix.com.

Tea time, 2 p.m. Sunday Cascade Grill, 110 Opal Court, Albany. Includes hot teas, sandwiches and dessert. Cost: $15. Buy tickets for both events and save $2 (double ticket offer available online: www.elysian-designs.com).

Period costumes encouraged. Information: 602-5002.