Anglo-File: Things to Do on This Side of the Pond

Jane Austen Conference

5,000 of this continent’s most dedicated Janeites will gather in Washington, D.C. on Oct 19–25 for the Jane Austin Society of North America’s General Meeting. To celebrate the bicentennial of the novel, this year’s theme will be “Emma at 200: No One But Herself.” Expect tours, performances and, of course, a ball with Regency-era costumes. jasna.org

British Marine Painting

THE YALE CENTER FOR BRITISH ART will show the first major exhibition surveying 18th-century marine art—a genre of compelling nautical grace utterly linked to Britain’s rise as a maritime and imperial power. Spreading Canvas opened in New Haven, Connecticut, until Dec 4. britishart.yale.edu

Highlander Games

Those missing Outlander’s brave Jacobites (RIP, Dougal!) should enjoy the many upcoming Highlander games this fall for some Scottish culture and real-life kilt-clad athleticism. You can gloriously charge your way into the Stone Mountain Highland Games in Atlanta, Georgia, on Oct. 14–16 or visit asgf.org for others.

Brit Car-Shows

Enthusiasts of those cool, sleek, classic Triumphs, Austins and MGs should cruise over to some Brit car shows in September and October, like the Atlanta British Car Fayre on Sept. 10 and the Southern British Car Club of Greater Chattanooga’s Annual Choo Choo on Oct. 22. Go to britishcarweek.org for events across the country.

Bridget Jones and Love & Friendship

AUSTEN FANS can also see Renee Zellweger’s bumbling big-screen version of Lizzie in the third installment of the Pride & Prejudice—inspired film series  which opened Sept. 16. (Hey, it still has Colin Firth playing a Darcy, right?)

For a more faithful adaptation, grab the DVD of Whit Stillman’s Love & Friendship to watch Kate Beckinsale seduce and scheme as an acerbic Lady Susan.

National Theatre Live

Catch the best of London’s most impressive stage at your local movie house. The National Theatre’s heartbreaking production of Terence Rattigan’s The Deep Blue Sea will be shown “live” (or just a few hours off to adjust for the time difference) in theaters across the US Sept. 1; Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera will have its simulcast Sept. 22. Plus, an encore screening of the 2011 smash-hit production of Frankenstein with Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller will thrill and terrorize you on Oct. 25. ntlive.nationaltheatre.org.uk

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RICHARD HUBERT SMITH

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

For a truly ambitious take on The Bard’s history plays, catch Civil Strife (the second half of the Tug of War series), which will distill Henry VI, Parts 2 and 3 and Richard III into one action-packed mix concerning war, its monarchs and the commoners forever caught up in the cyclical violence.
Sept. 15–Oct. 9 chicagoshakes.com

Game of Queens

Hear best-selling author Sarah Gristwood, as part of The Royal Oak Foundation’s lecture series, discuss her new book on female rulers of the 16th century, such as Katherine of Aragon and Elizabeth Tudor. Gristwood appears in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 2 and in Philadelphia on Nov. 7. To find out about more Royal Oak events and membership, go to royal-oak.org.