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WatchesI very much enjoyed watching the BBC’s recreation of Jane Austen’s Netherfield Ball from Pride & Prejudice - Party like it’s 1813. The amount of detail and effort which went into the recreation was astonishing. Experts in the field of dress, lighting, food and drink, etiquette, dance and music were all employed to ensure that the ball was as exact a replica as possible of the pivotal Netherfield Ball , which occurs at the heart and middle of the novel.
The aim was to provide access to contemporary details now oblivious to modern readers but which would have been matter of course for her contemporary audience. While an hour and a half is clearly not enough time to elucidate a modern reader fully, I was able to note the following points of interest:
- Social distinctions, while evident in dress and location at the dining table, extended also to lighting, namely the type and length of candles. As so often in life, the longer the better.
- The food provided was close enough to modern dishes as to look entirely delicious.
- Ice cream, even if flavoured with parmesan cheese also looked tasty.
- The multi-course dinner, served all at once, encouraged much interaction, as diners had to help themselves and pass dishes to others. It was far less formal than I expected.
- Women, although having many layers of undergarments, employed crotchless versions.
- Gentlemen, often used the long tails of their shirts as underwear.
- Printing was expensive, so that even the rich Mr. Bingley would have used pre-printed invitations for his guests, although an invitation in person to a private ball was prized: “Mrs. Bennet chose to consider it as given in compliment to her eldest daughter, and was particularly flattered by receiving the invitation from Mr. Bingley himself, instead of a ceremonious card.”
- The dancing, even for young, healthy members of the ball was strenuous exercise, there being a great deal of jigging, skipping and bouncing. I’d be standing with Jane, by the fireplace, chatting and drinking. But…
- Then as now, an inability or unwillingness to dance, decreases the chance of finding a marriage partner – although “every savage can dance.”
The BBC at it’s best!
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