Material Culture - The Victorian Middle Class Home - Film and TV:

Jane Austin:

http://www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/ideas-and-inspiration/famous-faces/jane-austen

Her Life in Hampshire:

Her family home in Stevenson near Basingstoke, is where she started writing her famous novels. After a short stay in Southampton, Jane moved with her family to the small village of Chawton in 1809. The writing table where she sat to write her novels is still available for the public to see.

The one thing she liked most about living in the village was the countryside that surrounded it. There is a walk that you can go on which is one of the many routes she took when going for walks between Chawton and Farringdon and you can also the market town of Alton.

Some of her favourite places to visit included places such as Andover, Winchester, Netley Abbey, Beaulieu Abbey and The Vyne in Basingstoke where she attended dances.

The last place that Miss Austen visited was Winchester Cathedral (sadly in death) where she was buried, in the north aisle.

Her Novels:

 Sense and Sensibility

A book of romantic fiction, this is best known as a comedy of manners.
The story is set in Kent, Southwest England, London between 1792 and 1797. It portrays the lives of two sisters, Elinor and Marianne. It follows them to their new home in a cottage where they experience love, romance and heartbreak.

By changing the title of the novel from 'Elinor and Marianne' to 'Sense and Sensibility', Miss Austen added depth to the two characters.

BOOK:

Film and Soundtrack:

Pride and Prejudice:

This story is set in 19th Century England. It tells the story of Mr and Mrs Bennet's five unmarried daughters after the rich and eligable Mr Bingley and his friend Mr Darcy have moved to their neighbourhood, the fictional town of Meryton in Hertfordshire near London.

It focuses on the main character Elizabeth Bennet, the second eldest of the five daughters, as she deals with the issues of manners, upbringing, morality, education and marriage in the era of British Regency.

Bingley takes a liking to the eldest Bennet daughter, Jane, wheareas Darcy finds it rather difficult when it comes to adapting to local society and clashes repeatedly with the second eldest Bennet daughter, Elizabeth.

BOOK:

TV Series:

Colin Firth

Born in Grayshot, Hampshire, England. His acting experience started when he played 'Jack Frost' in a Christmas pantomime. He attended the Drama Centre in Chalk farm for two years where he was noticed for his acting whilst playing the part of Hamlet during his final term.

In 1989, Firth starred in a TV production called Tumbledown. For this, he received the Royal Television Society Best Actor award and also received a BAFTA nomination.

He also received a BAFTA nomination for 'Mr Darcy' in the 1995 TV series of Pride and Prejudice. His most iconic and best known moment of all time, is the wet white see through shirt scene after falling in the lake.

Mr Darcy Goes For A Swim - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hasKmDr1yrA

Jennifer Ehle

Born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. Ehle is an actress known for Zero Dark Thirty (2012), The King's Speech (2010) and The Ides of March (2011).

One of her other well known is playing Elizabeth Bennet, second eldest daughter of five unmarried daughters to Mr and Mrs Bennet, in the BBC TV Series of 'Pride and Prejudice'.

Film:

Keira Knightly

Born in South West Greater London suburb of Richmond, 1985. Brought-up and immersed in the acting profession from both sides - writing and performing - it is little wonder that the young Keira Knightly asked for her own agent at the age of three..THREE!!

At an early age, it was discovered that she had severe difficulties in reading and writing. She wasn't officially dyslexic as she never sat the formal tests required of the British Dyslexia Association. To overcome this, she worked extremely hard and was encouraged and supported by her family.

In 2005, Knightly starred in an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, playing the part of Elizabeth Bennet.

Matthew Macfadyen:

Born in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. He finished his education in England and won a place at RADA in 1992, making his first appearance in a TV episode of Wuthering Heights in 1998.

After meeting his wife, Keeley Hawes, a steady stream of film and TV work followed. His performance as 'Mr Darcy' in Pride and Prejudice firmly established his name world-wide.

Judi Dench:

Born in York, England. She studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama (I NEARLY WENT THERE!!) in London. She's performed at many places with various companies such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and at the Old Vic Theatre.

A ten time BAFTA award, her achievements included Best Actress in a Comedy Series (A Fine Romance), Best Supporting Actress (A Handful of Dust) and (A Room With A View).

When it comes to Musical Theatre, Dame Judi Dench was asked to play the role of 'Grizabella' in Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's West End production of CATS, but due to a badly damaged achilles tendon she had to withdraw from the part, the rehearsals and the show. The part of 'Grizabella' went to Elaine Paige, her only having three weeks (or three days, I can't remember!!) to learn the part.

In Pride and Prejudice, she plays the part of Lady Catherine De Bourgh, this character can be seen as strict to the rules of society. She is from a very well-to-do kind of family.

Bollywood Film Version:

This is another adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' that has been given the Bollywood treatment. Starring Martin Hnderson as 'Mr Darcy', Aishwarya Rai as 'Lalita Bakshi' (the Elizabeth Bennet character) and Daniel Gillies as 'Johnny Wickam'.

Films Set In The Victorian Era:

The Victorian Middle Class Home -

Mary Poppins:

This musical family friendly children's film is about a magical nanny who comes to take care of the unhappy children of a cold banker. The story is based on the book of the same name by author P.L.Travers who, working alongside Walt Disney, at first didn't like the idea of her book being made into a fancy dancy children's film made up of music, colour and happy smiles. When she finally agreed to the story being made into a film, the entire thing was filmed at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California.

Receiving numerous nominations and awards after it was released in 1964 including Best Picture and winning five awards: Best Actress for Julie Andrews, Best Film Editing, Best Original Music Score, Best Visual Effects and Best Original Song for "Chim Chim Cher-ee".

*Julie Andrews

Born in England on October 1st 1935. Her Mother and Step-father discovered her freakish and undeniabley lovely four-octive singing voice and immediately got her a music career. She's performed in music halls, launching her career in 'Cinderella' at the London Palladium

In 1963, Andrews was asked by Walt Disney to come and be in his next upcoming film production. She agreed on circumstances that if she didn't get the part of Eliza Doolittle in 'My Fair Lady' then she would work for Disney. Audrey Hepburn was given the part of Eliza Doolittle, so Andrews went on to playing the part of Mary Poppins, from doing this she achieved an Academy Award for Best Actress.

*Dick Van Dyke

*David Tomlinson