Post by Mme de Beaufort on Aug 10, 2008 16:21:19 GMT -5
Western Daily Press
Copyright 2008 Northcliffe Newspapers Company
August 8, 2008
Section: News:Ents:Celebrities
Stripping down Mr darcy to his bare essentials...
It is something millions of women have imagined ever since they saw
Colin Firth as Mr Darcy propose to Elizabeth Bennet in a virtually
transparent wet shirt during the BBC adaptation of Pride and
Prejudice in 1995.
But next month, the women of one West market town will finally get
the chance to undress Mr Darcy.
Alas, it will not be brooding Colin Firth or even handsome Matthew
McFadyen, who starred opposite Keira Knightley in the big-screen
version of the Jane Austin classic.
But organisers promise a Mr Darcy with enough about him to get
Elizabeth Bennet's heart fluttering he arrives in Chepstow next month
to strip down to his Regency smalls.
And the wilting violets need not worry about it being a raucous 21st
century ladies' night. It will all be done in the best possible taste.
Museum chiefs in the market town have invited fashion historians to
show off and explain the kind of clothes Mr Darcy would have worn had
he decided to take Miss Bennet on a trip down the River Wye.
In Darcy's day, the Wye tour was a must for ladies and gentleman of
society who arrived in all their finery to take the boat trip between
Ross-on-Wye and Chepstow.
But the men were not allowed to roll up their sleeves and row because
a man in shirtsleeves was considered sexually alluring enough to
create uncontrolled frenzy among the Elizabeth Bennets of the day.
Shirtsleeves had to be covered up, but nude coloured breeches
designed to make the wearer look naked at a distance managed to get
past the fashion matrons.
Chepstow museum curator Anne Rainsbury, who won a large lottery grant
to make more people aware of the Wye Tour, has arranged for the
presentation from the History Wardrobe company. They will explain
fashions from the rumpled hairstyles to the secrets of men's corsetry
and how ladies of the day spotted Rakes, Beaus or "Pinks of the Ton"
by their attire.
There will readings from Jane Austen her contemporaries, but the
stripping of Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy is undoubtedly the highlight of the
show.
"We take no responsibility for members of the audience swooning or
sighing in excess," said a spokeswoman for History Wardrobe.
Undressing Mr Darcy is one of the first Overlooking the Wye Project
events and will be held at the Drill Hall, Lower Church Street,
Chepstow on Friday, September 5 at 7.30pm. Booking is advisable
Copyright 2008 Northcliffe Newspapers Company
August 8, 2008
Section: News:Ents:Celebrities
Stripping down Mr darcy to his bare essentials...
It is something millions of women have imagined ever since they saw
Colin Firth as Mr Darcy propose to Elizabeth Bennet in a virtually
transparent wet shirt during the BBC adaptation of Pride and
Prejudice in 1995.
But next month, the women of one West market town will finally get
the chance to undress Mr Darcy.
Alas, it will not be brooding Colin Firth or even handsome Matthew
McFadyen, who starred opposite Keira Knightley in the big-screen
version of the Jane Austin classic.
But organisers promise a Mr Darcy with enough about him to get
Elizabeth Bennet's heart fluttering he arrives in Chepstow next month
to strip down to his Regency smalls.
And the wilting violets need not worry about it being a raucous 21st
century ladies' night. It will all be done in the best possible taste.
Museum chiefs in the market town have invited fashion historians to
show off and explain the kind of clothes Mr Darcy would have worn had
he decided to take Miss Bennet on a trip down the River Wye.
In Darcy's day, the Wye tour was a must for ladies and gentleman of
society who arrived in all their finery to take the boat trip between
Ross-on-Wye and Chepstow.
But the men were not allowed to roll up their sleeves and row because
a man in shirtsleeves was considered sexually alluring enough to
create uncontrolled frenzy among the Elizabeth Bennets of the day.
Shirtsleeves had to be covered up, but nude coloured breeches
designed to make the wearer look naked at a distance managed to get
past the fashion matrons.
Chepstow museum curator Anne Rainsbury, who won a large lottery grant
to make more people aware of the Wye Tour, has arranged for the
presentation from the History Wardrobe company. They will explain
fashions from the rumpled hairstyles to the secrets of men's corsetry
and how ladies of the day spotted Rakes, Beaus or "Pinks of the Ton"
by their attire.
There will readings from Jane Austen her contemporaries, but the
stripping of Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy is undoubtedly the highlight of the
show.
"We take no responsibility for members of the audience swooning or
sighing in excess," said a spokeswoman for History Wardrobe.
Undressing Mr Darcy is one of the first Overlooking the Wye Project
events and will be held at the Drill Hall, Lower Church Street,
Chepstow on Friday, September 5 at 7.30pm. Booking is advisable
Where so many hours have been spent in convincing myself that I am right, is there not some reason to fear I may be wrong? ~ Jane Austen 
