Janeites really do have a sense of humor, you know
…but it’s stuff like this that makes us cranky!
Alert Janeite Amo wrote to tell us that award-winning playwright Laura Wade is writing a stage adaptation of The Watsons, which she describes thus:
Austen never finished the book so I’m imagining how the characters react after being abandoned by her, and they behave pretty badly.
We think this sounds like a lot of fun, not dissimilar to the hilarious Austentatious that we saw last year. But of course the Bright Young Thing assumes that Jane Austen fans are a bunch of uptight dried-up humorless prunes:
The Austen Society probably won’t be pleased. I’m half-expecting to be garrotted by women in Empire-line dresses!
And in another article, she reiterates the point:
That would be more than enough for most twentysomethings but finally, Miss Wade is adapting Jane Austen’s little-known novel The Watsons for West End producer David Pugh. This might prove fatal as “it could get me lynched by the Janeites”.
Uh? Not if your humor is in the style of Jane Austen’s. She’s already funny. You don’t need to make fun of her. That is what makes us angry. Is it so difficult for an intelligent person to grasp the difference?
Of course, some of Jane’s main targets are those who take themselves too seriously. The most successful Austen-related adaptations do not fall into that trap. Just saying.
January 19th, 2007 at 11:15 am
I’m sure she’s talking about the stuffier-than-thou element that objects to absolutely anything Austen-related that Austen herself didn’t write. There are people like that out there. I’ve heard stories. (cue spooky music)
January 19th, 2007 at 11:43 am
Huh, i think you’re being a little harsh there. Admittedly, the lady doth protest: i think she’s just afraid of those “fans” of established works that get really a*sy about any adaptation, because lets face it that’s even more likely with an unfinished piece.
Also, i have my suspicions that she may be a fan, as she at least use the term “Janeite”. You know she’s been on the blogs…
January 19th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Shall she be lynched by bonnet ribbons or a knotted cravat? Lydia’s lace handkerchief would do amusingly.
January 19th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Although I haven’t read any of her work, from the interviews and articles written about her, including mention of awards and nominations, she seems to be a violently talented playwright. True that her works focus mostly on very dark issues, but I think these are done in a satirical manner, and her wit and humor could very well measure up to Jane’s, as far as humanly possible.
I would guess that she is merely poking fun at those Lady-Catherine-style uptight “Janeites,” most of whom probably never even read the novels and rely solely on what they have watched on DVD. “Oh yes, Jane Austin is my most favorite writer.” I think we are safe from Laura Wade. And her adaptation of The Watsons may yet be the trigger to bringing this wonderful short piece to the attention of serious fans. I am convinced that this gem, had it been written at a more auspicious time in Jane’s life, could have—would have—been one of her best.
It will be very interesting to see Laura’s characterization of Penelope, who, even though she never really made an appearance, was described as a particularly ruthless character. And of course the verbal jousts between Emma and Lord Osborne cannot be overlooked. Now I wonder where and when all the dead bodies will come into play…
Remember this?—“Your lordship thinks we always have our own way. That is a point on which ladies and gentlemen have long disagreed; but without pretending to decide it, I may say that there are some circumstances which even women cannot control…” How very Austentatious, indeed.
January 20th, 2007 at 10:26 am
I agree with you, Tony. I hope that this gem of Austen’s will get the attention it deserves. It has been overlooked and undervalued.
January 20th, 2007 at 11:16 am
Amo, I was kidding.
I love The Watsons. Short though it is, it is absolutely charming.