Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

BBC Two HD

Ian Denyer

Jon Swain

Pride and Prejudice: Having a Ball

Documentaries

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Factual: History

10/05/2013

BBC Two - Pride and Prejudice: Having a Ball

A team of world experts recreate the social event at the heart of Pride and Prejudice.

Amanda Vickery and Alastair Sooke recreate a Regency ball, the social event at the heart of Pride and Prejudice, to mark the 200th anniversary of the novel's release.

Documentary celebrating the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice, revealing the hidden world behind one of the greatest love stories of all time by restaging a Regency ball at Chawton House, the grand estate of Jane Austen's brother. Amanda Vickery and Alastair Sooke lead a team of world-class experts as they reconstruct the ball in loving detail, from music and dancing to food and fashion. 

Jane Austen loved to dance and balls were hugely popular in early 19th-century England. Crucially, a ball is also where Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy meet and begin their courtship. However, very little is known about what the balls were actually like. What sort of music would the guests have danced to? How difficult were the steps? What were the clothes like to wear? And what did the food taste like? 

This film uses music from the Austen family archives, as well as dances and dishes mentioned in her novels and letters to recreate the experience of attending an early 19th-century country ball - the sort of event that Austen had in mind when she wrote some of the most famous and powerful scenes in English literature.

BBC Two

BBC Two is a TV channel that started broadcasting on the 20th April 1964.

BBC 2

BBC2

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

BBC Two Scotland

Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Pride and Prejudice: Having a Ball

Contributors

Genres

Formats

BBC Two HD

About BBC Two