Stuck in a Book is one of my favourite blogs and one I read on a daily basis, usually early in the morning with cuppa to hand. This morning was no different, but I have to say Simon was nearly in danger of being taken off my list of Places to Visit as I laughed so much at his post on Pride and Prejudice - the Musical (yes really...) that I knocked over my cup of tea and the liquid missed my keyboard by a millllllllllimeter.....
However, it did miss so Simon you are safe.
Earlier this week I posted on Rereading favourite books and my thoughts on this subject were triggered off by a post on the same subject written by....Simon. He often gives me ideas in this way and I unashamedly steal them. On the plus side, I always let everyone know from whence came this idea (plagiarist moi?) and today's post is no different. Simon asked for suggestions of songs from musicals for the characters in Pride and Prejudice and I came up with so many (I love musicals) that I did not want to clutter up his comments box and decided to write about them here. So, with thanks to Simon, here are my suggestions:
- It's Raining Men - Lydia on hearing about the Militia arriving in Meryton (not sure if this is from a musical but it came to mind)
- There is nothing like a Dame (South Pacific) - chorus of said Militia, led by Wickham
- I'm just a girl who cain't say no (Oklahoma) - Lydia ...again
- I hate Men (Kiss me Kate) - Mary Bennett
- Some day my prince will come (Snow White) - Jane Bennett
- Money, Money, Money (Mamma Mia) - Mrs Bennett
Cut to the Ball at Netherfield
- Hats off here they come, those beautiful girls (Follies by Sondheim) - sung by assorted guests as the Bennetts arrive
- Some Enchanted Evening (South Pacific) - D'arcy on seeing Elilzabeth
- The Boy next door (Meet me in St Louis) - Jane, after the ball and dreaming of Bingley
- After the Ball is Over - all the Bennett sisters could sing this, there are several verses so one each(lovely sentimental song by one Charles Harris - who he?) could not resist putting this in. Just look at the words:
After the ball is over, after the break of morn,
After the dancers' leaving, after the stars are gone,
Many a heart is aching, if you could read them all—
Many the hopes that have vanished after the ball.
(Steady Elaine, you are getting carried away here)
The Proposal
- I hate Men (reprise after D'arcy's proposal to Elizabeth) - sung by Elizabeth this time
- You made me love you, I didn't want to do it (D'arcy after rejection) OR
- Why can't a woman be more like a man? (My Fair Lady)
At Pemberley
- Oh what a beautiful morning (Oklahoma) - D'arcy after meeting Elizabeth
- Can't help loving that man (Show Boat) - Elizabeth after meeting Darcy
Grand Finale
- I'm getting married in the morning (My Fair Lady) - Lizzie, Jane and assorted Bennetts
- This is my once a year day (Pajama Game) - Mr D'Arcy, Mr Bingley, assembled company at wedding
I did think of giving Can't help loving that Man to Caroline Bingley as she sits and yearns after D'arcy - think that would work as well.
So, a total silliness but I thoroughly enjoyed writing this and it has made me giggle. Do nip over and read Simon's post which started off this lunacy. There is a link there I believe to the original information about The Musical.
Simon mentions the 2005 film of Pride and Prejudice which he does not care for, and while I admit to finding Keira Knightley acutely, and I mean acutely, irritating, I would like to stick up a little bit for this version. We are used to the Firth factor which is a hard act to follow, but what I thought this film did beautifully was to emphasize the gap between the Bennets and the Bingleys/D'Arcy. In the BBC version the Bennetts appeared to live pretty well and did not seem short of a bob or two, but in the 2005 version we really could see how rough and ready they were and, therefore, anathema to D'Arcy. Also, I felt that they had the ages right. Jennifer Elle and Colin Firth, wonderful though they were, seemed pretty mature.
But I love them both and do wonder if anybody else will have the temerity of filming it again? Silly questions really as we know it will happen...
Cast list suggestions anyone?
