Austentation.org

Austentation are the accomplished and versatile singer Gillie Tunley, the excellent guitarist Angela Mayorga, the well-established instrumentalist and singer Frank Underwood, joined in 2016 by the most excellent Beverley Gray, who have combined forces to present musical performances from the Regency period, including material from Jane Austen's own collections at Chawton in Hampshire. 'A tremendously convincing, authentic and skilful representation of the performance of the time' 'Not only is the music expertly handled, but they are friendly and engaging too'

Austentation on Facebook

Austentation now has a Facebook page, should you care to indulge in such modernistic diversions - and you'll find more news updates there than on this primary website:

Summer 2014

Austentation will be performing at the Mind Shop, in Jericho, Oxford on saturday 28th June from midday onwards. Absolutely free of course, though it would be excellent if you could take advantage of the shop while you are there!

Spring 2014

As well as the usual roster of charity performances, Austentation have been asked to perform at a private event in Broughton Castle on saturday 31st May, as well as at Oxford's Ruskin College in Headington on 24th May.

Wokingham Town Hall, July 2013

Austentation performed a lecture (if that is the right phrase!) at Wokingham Town Hall, on the evening of Thursday 18th July - speaking on the life and times of Jane Austen and illustrating the theme with music and slides - and were very well received indeed.

Austentation have since received invitations to repeat the performance for other functions; for example in association with summer courses at the University of Oxford, and will be returning to Wokingham during 2014.

Keats' House Museum performance, June 2013

Austentation were honoured to be booked for a performance at Keats' House in London, on Sunday 2nd of June as part of the Keats 2013 Festival - a friendly, hugely successful appearance on what proved to be a cheerful English summer's day. A series of excellent photos are presented on a special page for the event - updated 15th June.

Waterstone's Bookshop in Oxford, 26 January

Austentation played at Oxford's Waterstone's bookshop in 26th January, as a very first event of the 200th Anniversary of the first publication of Jane Austn's 'Pride and Prejudice' in 1813. This event was one of the first of hundreds, world-wide, to celebrate the anniversary.

The performance gave rise to another photo shoot with our friend Clare Borg-Cook, and its results appear in our new, 2013 gallery page.

Oxford's Laura Ashley shop in Summertown, Saturday 8th December

This is the first occasion when the trio performed together at an Oxford venue.

They then headed off to Berkshire, to perform later that same day at the Wokingham Advent event where they hope to have the opportunity to meet with local media - film available on youtube.

A missive 13th October from Frank:
   "Off to Jane Austen House Museum on Saturday, with Austentation,to do a mini performance,12ish, until 1 ish. Hopefully,weather will be better than today,so we can enjoy a preamble around the garden,which is small but lovely. ( Jane Austen House Museum ,Chawton,Hants.) We shall be there about 12.30-ish,with guitars, and play for about 30 minutes, then a wander about. If we have time ( and weather permitting ) maybe also a jaunt to the Church and grounds of Chawton House, plus Tea in 'Cassandras Cup'"..

And a follow-up, 14th October:
   "We had a great day at Chawton and Winchester yesterday, strange weather notwithstanding! Played a great set at Jane Austen's House, to a really appreciative crowd, who were not only interested in the pieces that we played, but also in our instruments, their history and origins,etc. It was great once again for the privilege to be able to perform on Jane Austen's own Piano! We shall be playing again there in the near future."

Austentation performed at a private alumni function on saturday 30th June, at the Abbey School in Reading; alma mater both of Gillie Tunley, and of Jane Austen!

Some magnificent new portrait shots of Frank, together with new musical partner Angela, have been taken by the professional photographer Clare Borg-Cook - please visit the gallery!

Have a look at the Media Page for new items, as Austentation get some exposure in the Oxford press - we're working on doing a better job during 2012.

Have a look at the Events Page to see what is going on from spring 2012 - we will post up items as and when they are arranged. Please read more!

Austentation are now getting bookings taking them well into next year - have a look first at the professionally recorded June concert at the Brighton Pavilion, parts of which are available on YouTube.

Their CD - 'An Innocent Diversion' came out last summer - read more about the disc, and get in touch to buy your copy!

For further information please get in touch with the Oxford Jane Austen Group by email, or with Frank by telephone, 044 (1)865 515295.