Images from Tim Luscombe’s adaptation of Mansfield Park at the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds
I found these videos yesterday, and I thought you might like to see them. As you know I’m off to see Tim Luscombe’s new adaptation of Mansfield Park on Saturday at Bury St Edmunds. (FX:Excited squeal) The theatre has recently put up two videos featuring the cast on its site. First, an interview with the actors who play Mary and Henry Crawford, Kristin Atherton and Samuel Collings:
I have to say I’m not sure if I agree with all of Samuel’s assessments of Henry Crawford’s character (!) but it makes for interesting viewing.
Here is an interview with Pete Ashmore who plays Edmund Bertram:
Mary Crawford as Beyoncé? I think I know just what he means :)
The third video is of the cast rehearsing dances, presumably for Fanny’s coming out ball:
I will only add that, in the words of the late and very lamented Eric Morecambe, someone in the cast is a lovely little mover…..
9 comments
September 18, 2012 at 10:00 am
garmard
Speaking of Regency dance during the time of Jane Austen; was the waltz ever introduced during her period of history?
September 18, 2012 at 10:37 am
jfwakefield
Yes: IIRC the waltz was danced in London at a ball given by the Prince Regent in 1816, but it was thought to be very shocking. Note the comments in The Times:
We remarked with pain that the indecent foreign dance called the Waltz was introduced (we believe for the first time) at the English court on Friday last … it is quite sufficient to cast one’s eyes on the voluptuous intertwining of the limbs and close compressure on the bodies in their dance, to see that it is indeed far removed from the modest reserve which has hitherto been considered distinctive of English females. So long as this obscene display was confined to prostitutes and adulteresses, we did not think it deserving of notice; but now that it is attempted to be forced on the respectable classes of society by the civil examples of their superiors, we feel it a duty to warn every parent against exposing his daughter to so fatal a contagion.” ( The Times, 16th July 1816)
The waltz,was thought to be rather scandalous in Jane Austen’s section of society, and it was still regarded as shocking as late as 1825. The capital waltzes Mrs Weston plays in Emma are country dances, most probably based on the Landler dance. Does that help?
September 18, 2012 at 10:53 am
garmard
Thanks for your reply!
September 19, 2012 at 5:27 pm
jfwakefield
My pleasure!
September 18, 2012 at 10:33 am
imogen88
Hurrah for the FX! Can’t wait to hear what you think of it! The cast look fantastic, videos are lovely, styling gorgeous, and I don’t quite agree with all of the “sketch” of HC’s character either. You are in for a treat and have “given us a treasure”.
September 19, 2012 at 5:27 pm
jfwakefield
A review appeared in Teh Stage today: go here to read it ;)
September 20, 2012 at 4:27 am
imogen88
WOW, thanks Julie!
September 18, 2012 at 10:42 pm
cathyallen
Yet again, someone has already said what I think, so I’ll just agree. Thank you, Moni! And thank you Julie; looking forward to your review.
September 19, 2012 at 7:52 am
imogen88
LOL, Cathy! ;-)