Queen Victoria comes to SaddleBrooke

MASTERPIECE VICTORIA Shown: JENNA COLEMAN as Victoria (C) ITV Plc for MASTERPIECE This image may be used only in the direct promotion of MASTERPIECE CLASSIC. No other rights are granted. All rights are reserved. Editorial use only. USE ON THIRD PARTY SITES SUCH AS FACEBOOK AND TWITTER IS NOT ALLOWED.

MASTERPIECE VICTORIA Shown: JENNA COLEMAN as Victoria (C) ITV Plc for MASTERPIECE This image may be used only in the direct promotion of MASTERPIECE CLASSIC. No other rights are granted. All rights are reserved. Editorial use only. USE ON THIRD PARTY SITES SUCH AS FACEBOOK AND TWITTER IS NOT ALLOWED.

Barbara Williams

It’s coming to SaddleBrooke soon—the blockbuster follow-up to Downton Abbey! Victoria, the highly anticipated new drama series chronicling the epic life of Queen Victoria, will air on Masterpiece PBS beginning January 15, 2017. SaddleBrooke residents will have an opportunity to view an exclusive prescreening. Arizona Public Media invites you to attend the sneak preview on January 9, 2016 at DesertView Theater from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Jerrold E. Hogle, Ph.D., who did a memorable job of filling us in on Downton Abbey last December, will return to provide commentary. He is the University of Arizona Distinguished Professor in Honors College and Department of English. Following Dr. Hogle’s remarks, the first hour of the two-hour season premiere of Victoria will be shown.

The eight-part drama follows Victoria from the time she becomes Queen in 1837 at the age of 18, through her courtship and marriage to Prince Albert. Famous for her candor and spirit, she was the first woman who seemed to have it all: a passionate marriage, nine children and the job of being Queen of the world’s most important nation. Victoria’s often tumultuous reign lasted for 63 years; she was England’s longest-serving monarch until she was overtaken by Elizabeth II in September, 2015. This presentation is a project of Unit 32 residents Margaret Falkowski, Patty Killoran, Barb Williams and Carol Erie, Margie McCauley, Barb Moreland, Judy Pyers, Karen Umemoto and Vikki Williams.

Tickets are free, but seating is limited. The DesertView Theater seats for the Downton Abbey Comes to SaddleBrooke event last December were all occupied. A free raffle of Arizona Public Media and Victoria promotions will also be part of the program. Don’t miss the story of the young Victoria, a tiny, neglected teenager who overnight became Queen and eventually the most powerful woman in the world.

Register for your free tickets at  azpm.org/victoriasaddlebrooke beginning December 1.