AN Grianán Theatre's first play of 2010 is the sparkling Jane Austen themed show Austen's Women and to celebrate the occasion the theatre will be preceding the show with an English tea party next Wednesday, January 20.

Customers will sit down to a delicious array of freshly baked treats and fancies, such as Victoria sponge cake, petit fours, scones with jam and cream, delicate finger sandwiches and more besides.

Described by The Stage as 'frilly, flowing and flamboyant in all the right places', Austen's Women is a superb one woman show which revisits some of Jane Austen's most famous heroines using only the author's words.

Famous Austen characters such the souls of Emma Woodhouse, Lizzy Bennet, Mrs Norris, Miss Bates and many more are brilliantly illuminated.

Taken out of context these women speak volumes for their sex and their standing constrained by the stringent societal code of their time.

Lovers of Jane Austen or the uninitiated few will revel in appreciation of the queen of English Literature distilled to her essence.

Tea with Austen is on Wednesday 20 January. Prebooking essential as places are limited and the food is being baked fresh to order.

Tickets to enjoy both the tea and the show are ¤16, while to see the play only will cost ¤12.

Tea will be served from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, with the performance starting at 8pm.

For further information contact the box office on 0749120777 or see www.angrianan.com