Uploaded June 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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British Ladies: Sections from the Downtown Abbey
Music by John Lunn
Arr. Anusha Manglik '21
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~Program Notes~
Having won numerous awards which include an Emmy and a Golden Globe, it is clear that the British-based TV show Downton Abbey has found its way into the hearts of Americans everywhere. Downton takes place in England from 1912 to 1926, a time of turbulent social change where class lines were beginning to blur and women began to join the workforce. The plot centers around the Crawley family and their servants as they navigate death, birth, and the chaos of their changing environment.

As the show progresses, one of the main themes present is the growth of the Crawley sisters into strong, courageous women - traits that disrupt society’s view of females. They become leaders, writers, creators, and activists, shocking the traditionalists that govern British aristocracy. Many of the servants show this same drive, moving out of servitude through self-education. At a time where women’s rights were few, these were the first challengers to the patriarchy.

This arrangement, titled “British Ladies,” is a tribute to the corset-wearing patriarchy smashers before us. It begins with the theme from Masterpiece Classic and moves to different musical entities within the show. The movie for Downton Abbey was released on September 27th, 2019; with all our hearts, we hope that it is as femme-forward as we deserve.

- Isabel Sands '21