Regency Disappointment

[smofbabe]

Finally got around to watching "Price and Prejudice: Having a Ball," the BBC special that re-creates the Netherfield ball from the book. I'm afraid I found it disappointing: the presenters were way too perky and enthusiastic for me, and some of the initial interstitial material, especially the supposed views of Austen writing at a desk, seemed awkward and unnecessary. I also found it odd and disconcerting to have the presenters and experts wearing modern dress and being interviewed about the ball on site as it's going on. Having done Regency dancing myself, I would have much preferred to have had the interpretations and discussion done ahead of time and seen the ball atmosphere maintained throughout. However, the dancing master, fashion expert, and food historian were informative and interesting (the jelly molds were especially cool) and it was nice to see what the ball might have actually been like, even if they do break the mood with interviews and modern interjections.