Pride and Prejudice Musical

I just wanted to share with you all that 'Pride and Prejudice the Musical' will be showing at the Athenaeum Theatre in Southport, Chicago, US.

The dates for the performances are February 26th and March 6th and 7th.

The musical was written by Lindsay Warren Baker and Amanda Jacobs and was directed by Steven Daigle.

You can find out more information from http://www.chamberoperachicago.org/

Being in the UK I will not get the chance to be part of this so if any of you do attend any of the performances, please share your reviews on the blog.

I want to acknowledge that I did find this information in the Jan/Feb edition of Jane Austen's Regency World.

Pic: The 2005 Bennet Sisters

(Also would like to mention that Carey Mulligan who plays Kitty in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice has just been nominated for an oscar for her excellent performance in 'An Education'- this is great news for such a talented British actress!)

Quote of the Week - Week 94

This week I have chosen a quote from one of the very popular conversations between Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. It appears in Pride and Prejudice, chapter 58 (or volume III, chapter 16):

Darcy mentioned his letter. "Did it," said he, "did it soon make you think better of me? Did you, on reading it, give any credit to its contents?"

She explained what its effect on her had been, and how gradually all her former prejudices had been removed.

"I knew," said he, "that what I wrote must give you pain, but it was necessary. I hope you have destroyed the letter. There was one part especially, the opening of it, which I should dread your having the power of reading again. I can remember some expressions which might justly make you hate me."

"The letter shall certainly be burnt, if you believe it essential to the preservation of my regard; but, though we have both reason to think my opinions not entirely unalterable, they are not, I hope, quite so easily changed as that implies."

"When I wrote that letter," replied Darcy, "I believed myself perfectly calm and cool, but I am since convinced that it was written in a dreadful bitterness of spirit."

"The letter, perhaps, began in bitterness, but it did not end so. The adieu is charity itself. But think no more of the letter. The feelings of the person who wrote, and the person who received it, are now so widely different from what they were then, that every unpleasant circumstance attending it ought to be forgotten. You must learn some of my philosophy. Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure."

"I cannot give you credit for any philosophy of the kind. Your retrospections must be so totally void of reproach, that the contentment arising from them is not of philosophy, but, what is much better, of innocence. But with me, it is not so. Painful recollections will intrude which cannot, which ought not, to be repelled."

Although I have only highlighted quotes from the last two paragraphs, I wanted to display the build up to these lines to give them some context. I feel that the key conversations between Mr Darcy and Lizzy always build in momentum and tension through every word. The lines I have chosen to highlight are probably not the most obvious but the Darcy's initial comment and Lizzy's reaction really interest me. I think that she is really showing her wisdom and blossoming maturity with her analysis of his 'philosophy.'

What are your opinions on this? Out of the context of Mr Darcy and Elizabeth's conversation, do you think that it is generally better to think only of the pleasant past memories OR should an aim be to keep painful memories close in order to refrain from making similar mistakes again and consequently becoming more wise to the world.

I dont know the answer to this question but it does often cross my mind. Is it really worth dwelling on painful memories if the circumstances surrounding it have now changed? Surely that will inevitably bring a person down and make them less likely to be able to build more pleasurable memories. But this may be a very ignorant philosophy as is it wise to only focus on the happy memories without deeming any lessons from the bad experiences in life....?

Pic: Elizabeth and Darcy- Keira Knightley fansite

Baby News for James McAvoy

I know this is slightly unrelated to Jane and her work but as this blog originated based on the film Becoming Jane, I wanted to make you aware that the lovely James McAvoy (our Tom Lefroy in the film) is going to be a daddy.

His very talented wife, Anne-Marie Duff (Notes on a Scandal, Nowhere Boy, and many excellent british tv series), and James are staring in the new film The Last Station with Helen Mirren (who has been nominated for an oscar for her performance) and is released here in the UK in a few weeks. I cant wait.

Read more about the upcoming arrival of the 'Mc-Duff family':

Father-to-be-Mcavoy

Pic: Contact Music

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 93

I opened up randomly at Jane Austen's Letter (1997, Deidre le Faye) and found a very interesting letter, at least for myself. A very simple one here (p 142); Jane was in Castle Square, and the letter was for Cassandra.

Saturday 1 - Sunday 2 October 1808
Everybody who comes to Southampton finds it either their duty or pleasure to call upon us; Yesterday we were visited by the eldest Miss Cotterel, just arrived from Waltham.

Lessons for myself this week: If you're calling or visiting someone, make sure it's for pleasure (friendship) than mere duty... It feels much better.

Now I have to go off. A friend is visiting out of pleasure/friendship, and she might need some lunch ^_^

Pic: Anne Hathaway as darling Jane Austen, Becoming Jane 2007 (was it 3 years ago already...)

Lefroy books online!

Thanks to our dearest Linda the Librarian, we have in announcement the hard copy version of The Memoir of Chief Justice Lefroy, available since 31 Dec 2009, or just before the New Year. What an interesting New Year present! Get it in Amazon, dearest...

Also found on Google Book (Linda's been very active!) is the Notes and documents relating to the family of Loffroy, by a cadet [J.H. Lefroy]. You can download the PDF from the link. By the way, Sir John Henry Lefroy was the son of Tom Lefroy's first cousin; or the grandson of Madam Lefroy.

Happy reading!

Pic: Thomas Langlois Lefroy by George Engleheart, private collection of Edward Lefroy

PS: I posted this one on 31 Jan, but since I made the draft last week, Blogger just registered it as posted on 24 Jan. Weird...

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 92 by Linda

We find in Chapter 3 of “Emma” the description of Mrs. Bates and Miss Bates. This passage is about Miss Bates:

"Her youth had passed without distinction, and her middle of life was devoted to the care of a failing mother, and the endeavour to make a small income go as far as possible. And yet she was a happy woman, and a woman whom no one named without good-will. It was her own universal good-will and contented temper which worked such wonders. She loved every body, was interested in every body's happiness, quick-sighted to every body's merits; thought herself a most fortunate creature, and surrounded with blessings in such an excellent mother and so many good neighbours and friends, and a home that wanted for nothing. The simplicity and cheerfulness of her nature, her contented and grateful spirit, were a recommendation to every body and a mine of felicity to herself."

In this description we shall overlook the next sentence about her being a great talker. She is recommended to us mainly by her ‘love for every body’. Fortunately even in this day’s world we might even find a few of those types of persons. We should all be so. That’s my sermon for today.

Linda the Librarian

Pic: The 1996 Mrs. Bates and Miss Bates from lacegrl130

Quote of the Week by Linda - Week 91

This week I am still in Chapter 2 of “Emma” where we read about poor Mr. Woodhouse’s afflictions after losing Miss Taylor:

"His own stomach could bear nothing rich, and he could never believe other people to be different from himself."

Miss Austen is said to have only had a small circle of people to draw upon to construct her characters, but I do believe that she must have had quite a lot because she has described so many people of my own acquaintance. There really are people who ‘could never believe other people to be different from themselves.’

They carry it one step further and think that everyone should agree with every thing they say and do, and more specifically they know what is best for everyone. I have known one and it can be quite embarrassing. May our gentle readers fare better.

Linda the Librarian

Pic: Jane Austen's Emma (1997) from: http://www.btvision.bt.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/janeaunsten_emma_450.jpg

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 90

I was (am) still in the New Year mode, so I was looking for a quote decent enough for a beginning when I opened Pride & Prejudice Volume III Chapter 19 (Penguin Classics 2003, p. 364). It was after Jane and Lizzy got married to Bingley and Darcy respectively. I found this one:

“Mr. Bingley and Jane remained at Netherfield only a twelve-month. So near a vicinity to her mother and Meryton relations was not desirable even to his easy temper, or her affectionate heart. The darling wish of his sisters was then gratified; he bought an estate in a neighbouring county to Derbyshire, and Jane and Elizabeth, in addition to every other source of happiness, were within thirty miles of each other.”

After a moment’s contemplation (actually while riding my motorbike amidst the mild traffic of Bali) I then realised that this was the quote I was looking for. For the quote tells me that if we want to start anew and afresh, we must disconnect ourselves from our past lives. Disconnection does not mean dislike, hatred or even judgement. Merely an understanding that to start anew, the old ones have to 'die' first. To be a new you, your old self must die first. Before your new life starts, your old life must fade into oblivion first.

For Jane and Bingley, it was the constant irritation of the dearly beloved Mrs. Bennet (and the cacophony of Meryton) that they must avoid to truly start a new family. Something that Lizzy and Darcy already acquired by living in Pemberley, miles away from Longbourn.

For me, I choose to leave my past behind. Embracing all the mistakes and sadness, thanking them for all the lessons they taught me, and letting them go. As the clock hit twelve, bringing 2010 to us, I chose to be a new Icha, gratefully free from her past. Not an easy journey, dare I tell you, but still a worthwhile one.

What about you? Have you thought of things, circumstances, or even people (including your old self) you must leave behind to start anew? Blessings for your journey.

Pic: Flickr.com

Jane Austen Quote of the Week- Week 89

The first quote of 2010 is taken from chapter 5 of Mansfield Park. The topic of the conversation is actually marriage and Mary is being flourished with some wise insight.

I think that this quote need not only apply to marriage, I think that it is applicable to life in general. At this point where we enter a new year, there are often many mixed emotions; people may feel pressure to make changes and embrace new things. I think that although this quote could be perceived as having a pessimistic stance, I actually feel that it is rather enlightening.

I like to think that sometimes fate will support us and if we have experienced dissapointment in whatever form during 2009, perhaps the natural course of life events will lead us down a new path, one with more happiness and opportunities.

"There will be little rubs and disappointments everywhere, and we are all apt to expect too much; but then, if one scheme of happiness fails, human nature turns to another; if the first calculation is wrong, we make a second better: we find comfort somewhere."

Feeling comfort is vital in this life. I hope that all of you out there are spending time with, or thinking about loved ones at this time and that this brings you comfort.

Lets all wish for happiness in 2010. Happy New Year everyone.

Pic: Entertainment Weekly- Fanny and Edmund

Quote of the Week - Christmas Edition!

Merry Christmas, friends!

Because this is the season for celebrating love with our loved ones, I wanted to share a family-themed quote. Luckily, Jane's work is full of family ... and when I thought 'family' and 'Jane Austen' ... well, there is really only one family to go to - the Bennets.

The quote is taken from the end of Pride and Prejudice, chapter 60:

Mrs Philip's vulgarity was another, and perhaps greater tax on his forbearance; and though Mrs Philips, as well as her sister, stood in too much awe of him to speak with the familiarity which Bingley's good humour encouraged, yet, whenever she did speak, she must be vulgar. Nor was her respect for him, though it made her more quiet, at all likely to make her more elegant. Elizabeth did all she could, to shield him from the frequent notice of either, and was ever anxious to keep him to herself, and to those of her family with whom he might converse without mortification; and though the uncomfortable feelings arising from all this took from the season of courtship much of its pleasure, it added to the hope of the future; and she looked forward with delight to the time when they should be removed from society so little pleasing to either, to all the comfort and elegance of their family party at Pemberley.

This quote, for me, sums up so much of what we love and struggle with with families and relationships ... and I love the different family units represented within this passage - the extended family with their quirks and foibles, and Lizzie and Darcy, who are in the process of creating their own family unit.

This Christmas season I hope you can celebrate love and life with your loved ones, with some Jane on the side. Take care, friends. On behalf of Icha, Rachel, Linda and myself - Merry Christmas! Have fun. :D

Pic: Pride & Prejudice 2005 from: http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/3900000/The-Bennet-Family-pride-and-prejudice-3942573-750-499.jpg

Christmas wallpaper from Maria!

Another gratitude to Maria for her gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous Becoming Jane Christmas calendar! Just love it!

Maria also gave the links to different wallpaper resolutions:

http://www.4shared.com/file/175409312/88a97145/BJ_Wallpaper_Christmas_1680x10.html
http://www.4shared.com/file/175409620/4b418141/BJ_Wallpaper_Christmas_1280x80.html
http://www.4shared.com/file/175409747/82bdd953/BJ_Wallpaper_Christmas_1024x76.html

Anyone else wish to give us all Christmas and New Year pressies?

Jane Austen Quote of the Week- Week 87 by Linda

With all this talk lately about the new “Emma” production, I was enticed to reread “Emma” again, mainly because it had been several years since I had first read it. So I will start with Chapter 2 where we find this after a description of Mr. Weston’s character and finances:

"He had never been an unhappy man; his own temper had secured him from that, even in his first marriage; but his second must show him how delightful a well-judging and truly amiable woman could be, and must give him the pleasantest proof of its being a great deal better to choose than to be chosen, to excite gratitude than to feel it."

Here he is speaking of Miss Taylor as his ‘second’ wife. This gives us a clue as to what a man looks for or, should I say, what we ladies should be. I might add that though he does the ‘choosing’, it hopefully goes without saying that he loves the lady too.

Now, the completely opposite of this situation is found in the very next paragraph where the brother and his wife of the first Mrs. Weston is discussed. You will recall that they are the ones who adopted Mr. Weston’s son, Frank as a child and even gave him their name, thusly we have Frank Churchill. We find this about the Aunt:

"The aunt was a capricious woman, and governed her husband entirely;"

Wow, what a difference! What is truly amazing is that just this weekend I was able to watch the TV series “The Barchester Chronicle” – all 7 episodes. The Bishop’s wife was just such a woman as Mrs. Churchill. Hm, I wonder if Trollope ‘borrowed’ something from our dear Jane Austen.

Linda the Librarian

Pic: Pemberley Images

XMas decorations from Maria and Mariana

I must apologise to Maria (Sweden) for taking a solid fortnight to put her beautiful XMas gift: an amazing deep red Becoming Jane banner on the blog. But now it's up there as you all can see, and also down here.


Mariana from Canada also made lovely XMas decorations for us, particularly Emma09 fans like me, and I really wish I could hang them on my XMas tree....


Thanks so much Maria and Mariana! Merry Christmas everyone! May peace and love be on Earth and in our hearts.

Jane Austen Quote of the Week - Week 86

This week’s quote returns us to Persuasion with a quote that struck me for its truth, despite it being ‘dedicated’ to Elizabeth Elliot instead of Anne Elliot. Persuasion, Chapter One:

“It sometimes happens, that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she was ten years before; and, generally speaking, if there has been neither ill health nor anxiety, it is a time of life at which scarcely any charm is lost. It was so with Elizabeth; still the same handsome Miss Elliot that she had begun to be thirteen years ago; and Sir Walter might be excused, therefore, in forgetting her age, or, at least, be deemed only half a fool, for thinking himself and Elizabeth as blooming as ever, amidst the wreck of the good looks of every body else; for he could plainly see how old all the rest of his family and acquaintance were growing. Anne haggard, Mary coarse, every face in the neighbourhood worsting; and the rapid increase of the crow's foot about Lady Russell's temples had long been a distress to him.” (emphasize my own)

Again, I understand that this quote was for Elizabeth Elliot, a character I have no sympathy at all in Persuasion. However, the bold line has its own grain of truth. There are women (and men) I’ve met who are more beautiful as they age… and to me, this pronounced beauty as they age actually owes a great deal to the maturity and wisdom of those people (I would exclude Liz Elliot from this case). I’m not only talking of women and men aged 30… I’m also talking about those entering their forties… fifties… sixties… and so forth.

True, the beauty will be different for each age group, but the essence is still the same. It’s still beauty. Of course personal hygiene and the understanding of the best type of clothes and colours to wear add up to the physical beauty, but if beauty is earned from wisdom and understanding, it lasts much longer than if it is earned from mere superficial cosmetics.

Pic: The Elliot sisters (Elizabeth, Anne and Mary), from TV Guide

Jane Austen Quote of the Week, Week 85

This week the quote i have chosen is from Northanger Abbey (chapter 14).


This quote is a fantastic example of Jane's facetiousness in relation to the gender issues which are often present throughout her novels.
The following paragraph attempts to explain and give reason for Henry Tilney's attraction to Catherine Morland.

"She was heartily ashamed of her ignorance. A misplaced shame. Where people wish to attach [i.e. attract], they should always be ignorant. To come with a well-informed mind is to come with an inability of administering to the vanity of others, which a sensible person would always wish to avoid. A woman especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can. The advantages of natural folly in a beautiful girl have been already set forth by the capital pen of a sister author; and to her treatment of the subject I will only add, in justice to men, that though to the larger and more trifling part of the sex, imbecility in females is a great enhancement of their personal charms, there is a portion of them too reasonable and too well informed themselves to desire anything more in woman than ignorance."

I think that this quote is of absolute brilliance. I think that Jane is showing her feminism whilst maintaining a very humorous read for her audience. The tone is of mockery and I think that it is highly ironic; women at this time were rarely in ignorance and often grouped together in a camouflaged intelligence. Humans are interesting beings arent they??
Jane is so witty here and proves beyond doubt that she is very far away from the definitions of imbecility and ignorance!

Pic 1: Radio Times

Pic 2: Jane Austens World