2025 sees the centenary of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway, a book set in Mayfair which is celebrated each year on 13 June which is believed to be the date on which the one-day story occurs.
The story
The novel follows Clarissa Dalloway, a high-society woman, on a day in mid June 1923 as she prepares for, and hosts, a party. As the day unfolds, she reflects on her youth, choices and role in society. Simultaneously, the story follows Septimus Warren Smith, a World War I soldier suffering from PTSD. Unknown to one another, Clarissa learns of his suicide at her party which deeply moves her.
The book is lauded as an innovative, modernist novel with interesting character studies and exploration of self-identity, trauma and societal conventions, as well as a stream-of-consciousness narration.
Mrs Dalloway’s Mayfair
It is understood that Mrs Dalloway lived in Great College Street.
Lady Bruton lived in Brook Street which is between Grosvenor Square and Hanover Square.
“…up Bond Street to a shop where they kept flowers for her.” is believed to be based on G. Adam and Co. which was located at 42 New Bond Street.
“…looked into Hatchard’s shop window.” – Hatchards, established in 1797, still stands on Piccadilly. It has a fantastic selection of books and holds regular author events.
The novel also references several of London’s green spaces including Hyde Park, Green Park, Regent’s Park and St James’s Park.
To learn more
The Virginia Woolf Society of Great Britain’s website is a fantastic resource. It also offers a brilliant programme of member and public events (both online and in person).
Creation Theatre is holding performances of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway at The London Library until 15 June.
London Walks is holding a Mrs Dalloway’s London – the 100th Anniversary tour on 18 June.
John Swarbrooke Fine Art in Fitzroy Square is presenting Pixerina Witcherina, an exhibition of works by the Bloomsbury Group, which runs from 16 to 22 June. Working in collaboration with the Charleston Trust, James Freeman Gallery and Peter Harrington Rare Books, it will be hosted by the Backroom Foundation.
David Simon Contemporary is holding an exhibition, For There She Was: Centenary Exhibition of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway Through the Eyes of Twelve Artists between 14 June & 12 July in Somerset. The works are beautiful and can be viewed online.
If you have enough time on your visit to London, we highly recommend a day trip to Virginia Woolf’s countryside home, Monk’s House in East Sussex.
Mayfair in literature
Whilst Mrs Dalloway references several places in our locality, Hertford Street appears in Evelyn Waugh’s Vile Bodies and Shepherd Market was the inspiration for Hugh Walpole’s The Joyful Delaneys and Michael Arlen’s The Green Hat. Mayfair was also a location for Sense & Sensibility (Jane Austen), PG Wodehouse’s The Mating Season and The Importance of Being Earnest (Oscar Wilde), to name but a few.