Venturing south on a sunny winter’s day was a band of eighteen inquisitive NW Bay PROBUS members seeking information about the proper life skills of Regency England. We arrived in the quaint township of Chemainus proceeding with gentle purpose to the Chemainus Theater’s dining room to be greeted by the dulcet tones of a grand piano and the fragrance of a sumptuous buffet.  After a leisurely luncheon, we wended our way into the theater to be greeted by a lively musical welcome performed by all of the cast members.

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”  So begins Pride and Prejudice,  Jane Austen’s witty comedy of manners—that features splendidly civilized sparring between the proud Mr. Darcy and the prejudiced Elizabeth Bennet as they play out their spirited courtship in a series of eighteenth-century drawing-room intrigues. Quickly we learned that Mrs. Bennet simply must secure suitors of a certain social standing for her five daughters. Despite her clever (and hilarious) efforts to tie the knots, her family’s future becomes increasingly entangled in Lizzie and Mr. Darcy’s amusing attempts to find true love.

Indeed, a most pleasant way to spend an enjoyable afternoon with friends!    

NB:  This outing to Chemainus proved to be a great success.  Watch for more of them in the future and be sure to sign up early!