Theater Ten Ten is holding open auditions for a stage production of NORTHANGER ABBEY (Lynn Marie Macy’s wonderful adaptation) in New York in October! We searched for specific information but alas, we only got a taste; the rest is behind a subscription window. This is what we could see:

‘NORTHANGER ABBEY’ Theater Ten Ten is casting Northanger Abbey, from Jane Austen’s novel, adapted by Lynn Marie Macy. Judith Jarosz, prod. artistic dir.; David Scott, dir. Rehearsals begin Sept. 17; runs Oct. 20-Nov. 19. Note: Also under consideration for Theatre Ten Ten’s season is Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Judith Jarosz, dir.; rehearsals would begin Jan. 7; runs Feb. 9-March 11). Seeking—Miss Catherine Morland/Emily St. Aubert:

David Scott directed the play when the Editrix saw it several years ago. We recommend it highly and enthusiastically. (But what is it with holding Austen plays when the Janeites are all off at our yearly convention? Sheesh.)

There’s nothing about the play on the theater’s Web site but we sent an e-mail to try to get more information and will of course keep our readers informed.

*bounces up and down in sheer glee*

The U.K. education secretary has denied reports that classic literature such as Jane Austen’s novels will be purged from school curriculum.

He added: “Harold MacMillan said reading Jane Austen helped him relax when he was prime minister - so it can even be therapeutic for those who lead stressful lives too.”

Shadow minister for schools, Nick Gibb, said he welcomed the government’s comments.

He said: “It is important that the classic texts, including Shakespeare and Jane Austen, are studied by our children before the end of compulsory education.

“For many children exposure to the great classics of English literature occurs only at school.

“Any move by the QCA or others to limit this opportunity would have been a huge mistake and would have added to the general concern that our education system is being dumbed down.”

We couldn’t have said it better.

Cristina from BrontëBlog and Alert Janeite Agnes both wrote to tell us about an interview with Andrea Galer, the costume designer for PERSUASION 2007, who also designed the costumes for the upcoming production of JANE EYRE.

Yes - I related it but my knowledge and feel for the 19th century will always bring about a look that is mine – that is what a designer can do, however try telling those budgeting films that – today budgets are so tight it is almost impossible to make anything and I am about to start Persuasion with virtually no budget for makes which is a great pity.

YIKES! We have admired the look of the JANE EYRE costumes and art direction, from what we’ve seen in the stills and things, and we are hoping that Ms. Galer can make do with a small budget…in Bath a baronet can be important at relatively little expense!