Join NPT for an advance screening of the new season of Victoria on Masterpiece on Sunday, Dec. 10, during the Victoria Preview & Celebration at The Franklin Theatre. The event includes a reception with appetizers inspired by popular dishes of the era, drinks, photo opportunities and a preview of the first hour of the Season 2 premiere. New this year will be a talk on Victorian dining and entertaining traditions by Mara Papatheodorou, a “taste and traditions” expert and “master foodie.”
Attendees will also be eligible for giveaways, including Victoria & Albert: A Royal Love Affair, a new book by series creator Daisy Goodwin and Sara Sheridan; stickers and flags. Tickets to NPT’s Victoria Preview & Celebration are available at wnpt.org/victoria. Proceeds from the event support NPT’s educational, cultural and civic programming.
NPT’s Victoria Preview & Celebration is a fun evening of dressing up (festive or Victorian attire suggested) and enjoying a look into the life and times of a woman who ascended the throne as a teenager, then left her stamp on a remarkable era. Papatheodorou will discuss Victoria’s legacy as a tastemaker and trendsetter.
Victorians placed enormous significance on food, and as the era progressed, meals became longer and more elaborate with intricately decorated foods, carefully planned wine pairings and beautiful tablescapes. “Early in her reign, Victoria (portrayed by Jenna Coleman in the series) made her mark and established new protocols within the royal household, the kitchen and the style of royal entertaining,” Papatheodorou said. “The stunning Victoria on Masterpiece sets are true to form, especially all of that candlelight, crystal, sterling silver and flowers.”
Teatime – a mid-afternoon repast with treats as well as the titular beverage – became a ritual during this time thanks to Victoria and her lady-in-waiting, according to Papatheodorou. Papatheodorou will also delve into Victoria’s love of desserts and how Charles Elmé Francatelli (portrayed in the series by Ferdinand Kingsley) became one of the first celebrity chefs after leaving his post at the palace.
Victoria on Masterpiece returns for a second season on Jan. 14, 2018. At the time of the premiere, all seven episodes will be available on NPT Passport. Season 1 is currently available on Passport and will be rebroadcast Sundays evenings on NPT beginning Dec. 17. Those episodes will be available for general streaming via the NPT video portal for one week following their airdate. And finally, Victoria Returns, a recap and preview show, airs several times this month, including Christmas night, Dec. 25, at 9:30 p.m. Find our complete program schedule at wnpt.org/schedule.
Tickets to NPT’s Victoria Preview & Celebration are available here.