Alert Janeite Maureen wrote to remind us about the “Turning the Pages” site at the British Library, which includes a virtual copy of Jane Austen’s hilarious parody, A History of England, “by a partial, prejudiced and ignorant Historian.” The site allows visitors to “turn the page” of the book as if they were reading the original copy. Cassandra Austen did the illustrations, incidentally.

Titiola Bakare, writing in the Daily Pennsylvanian, writes about how the procedure of learning about a gentleman’s fortune and expectations has changed since Jane Austen’s day.

Back in the day, a formal introduction was a necessary prerequisite for romantic involvement.

Take the classic Jane Austen novel. Before a man even entered the drawing room of a woman’s home, she was well informed of his social standing, economic status, and professional occupation.

Well, times have changed for better and for worse. Though we no longer need or want men to “provide” these markers of success, we often know very little about the people we choose as companions. These days you’re lucky to get a guy’s last name over the noise in a crowded bar. Alas, technology has provided an answer. We may not have a drawing room, or Mr. Darcy, but we do have access to the 21st century remix of the formal introduction: www.google.com.

Hee! (Private to Ms. Bakare: there’s more than one classic Jane Austen novel. Just saying.)

GASP! Mentioning Henry “Da Man” Tilney and Tom “Da Loonytunes” Cruise in the same sentence?

DOROTHY! Bring the Tullamore Dew, d— your eyes!

JANE AUSTEN: Henry Tilney, the hero of Northanger Abbey, is charming and rich, yet isn’t looking for a wife. But Catherine Morland is too young and naive to hide how mad she is about him.

She seeks him out at dances and for walks and has no interest in other men when he’s about. And Henry likes her all the more for her honesty, and is flattered by her attention.

CELEBRITY LOVE: Tom Cruise jumping on Oprah’s sofa and declaring his love for fiance Katie Holmes sparked speculation that he was either faking his love for the young Dawson’s Creek star, or had lost his marbles.

The couple’s habit of snogging and groping in public is considered over-the-top even by Hollywood standards.

LAUREN HENDERSON ADVISES: Make your preference clear, like Catherine Morland but don’t make a show of yourself (like Tom Cruise). Show the object of your desire that you’re happy to hear from him.

Return his calls within at least a couple of days, and if you like the sound of an invitation, accept it without holding back or trying to look cool. It’s about being honest rather than being pushy or an exhibitionist.

They have no compassion on our poor nerves.

We are delighted with all these stage productions of Jane Austen novels lately; we just wish they were being staged somewhere closer to AustenBlog World Headquarters!

Tucson Weekly reviews the Arizona Theatre Company production of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. One thumb up, sort of.

This would be a fabulous production if it weren’t for one thing: The depiction of the central character is absolutely wrong.

Yikes!

The Tucson Citizen also gives the play a mixed review.

Curiously, the actor who makes the strongest impression has the least to say. He is tall and stately Anthony Marble as the reticent Mr. Darcy. With his striking profile straight from an ancient Greek coin, Marble can dominate a scene just by standing there - which he does a lot.

*swoooon* and *giggle*

We received a note from Martin Millar to tell us that his stage adaptation of EMMA (different from the post below this one), originally staged at the Edinburgh Festival in 1999, will be staged by the Arkle Theatre Company at the Wynd Theatre in Melrose, Scotland on October 6-8 and by Amicus Productions in Toronto, Canada on December 8-11.

The production seems to be modern in tone but not setting. Martin’s Web site has more information about the play (click on “Film/Theatre” and scroll down a bit), including reviews from previous stagings.

This irreverent but affectionate adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel, by actress and comedian Doon MacKichan and novelist Martin Millar, is so speedy you could call it an Austen Allegro. Several hundred pages of snobbery, wit, heartbreak and romance are skimmed over in just 100 minutes, accompanied by contemporary visual gags, sardonic asides, and music from bands as diverse as the Jackson Five and the Prodigy.

As always, if you go, we would love to publish your review.

An original musical adaptation of EMMA will be performed by the ELATE theatre group at the Lincoln Stegman Theatre in North Hollywood, California. The show opens on October 29 and runs four weekends, closing on Sunday, November 20. For more information, call 818-509-0882.

As always, if you go, send us your review!

(via a posting on the Janeites mailing list)