THE Castle Players, a non-professional theatre company based in Barnard Castle, are well known for taking a winter production to remote areas and venues which often do not have many theatre productions during the year.

Phoebe Shaw, who plays Elizabeth Bennett in the forthcoming production of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, recently experienced 18th century elegance on a visit to the Bowes Museum.

Jane Austen’s world of grand country estates came vividly to life in the museum’s neo-classical room which is filled with furniture, pictures and ceramics of the period.

She said: “This is exactly how I imagine Mr Darcy’s family home of Pemberley to look – stylish and elegant. I’m sure Mr Darcy would feel very at home here.”

Catching the style of Jane Austen’s world has been key to the production, but as it will tour without a set the atmosphere will be created by the actors, the costumes and the music.

Director Laurence Sach said: “The Castle Players has always chosen to tour an adaptation of a well known classic novel or play during the winter, and there are few novels better known than Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. I’m hoping its romance and sharp sense of humour will help brighten the winter evenings as it tours the Dales.”

Pride and Prejudice opens on Friday, January 8, at the Witham in Barnard Castle before touring to nine community venues over the following month.

For tickets and more details, call the Witham box office on 01833 631107 or visit thewitham.org.uk.