I have been hoping for a long time that they would include some interviews with the cast on the DVD. Now that it is out and there are no interviews, I was thinking that the time might come when we could interview them. Making a list of our questions would be a good idea, I think!
So, if anyone can think of what you would want to ask if you could interview anyone from the production speak now!
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Bronteana Bronte Studies Blog:
http://bronteana.blogspot.com
Sophie, that really is a good idea! I've been thinking about possible questions. I know we can't expect full voiceovers, but I'd love to hear the cast/crew comments throughout the episodes (sigh).
From both leads, I'd ask
- when they first read 'Jane Eyre' and what impact it made on them
- what they found to be the easiest/most difficult part of preparing for and perfoming their parts
- especially, how they felt about performing the proposal scene
- how they felt the series was received at that time (do they know how many fans the version has, even today?)
From Robin Chapman I'd ask (is it a he or a she?)
- how (s)he decided to modify certain parts for the script, what was the main guideline in dramatization
- what did (s)he think about the bits that probably wouldn't interest the audience (childhood & St John)
Note: I especially loved the way the gypsy scene was modified, it was condensed yet warmly funny and a teensy bit erotic, too (that touch on the chin!) Congrats on that one, Robin.
Your questions, Sophie?
I'd like to ask if the main members of the cast enjoyed making the adaptation, as Michael and Sorcha especially seem to look as if they enjoy every scene they are in.
As was mentioned previously I'd also love to know if they realise what a fan base this adaptation has and how fondly it is remembered after all these years. It woud be interesting to know if any of them had an inkling at the time of what a gem of an adaptation it was going to turn out to be.
I do have an interview with Robin Chapman- or part of one, anyway, from 1973. He talks a bit about narrative voice and how he tried to bring that back into his (I think) adaptation of JE: http://bronteana.blogspot.com/2005/10/robin-chapman-on-jane-eyre-1973-more.html
(I'm still thinking about my own questions!).
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Bronteana Bronte Studies Blog:
http://bronteana.blogspot.com
Okay, so it is a 'Mr. Chapman' after all!
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Bronteana Bronte Studies Blog:
http://bronteana.blogspot.com
Thanks for the info, Sophie. I was wondering myself how difficult it must have been to 'sync' the voiceovers and the live dialogs. I guess it required superb artistic discipline from Michael and Sorcha.
One additional question to Sorcha - I hope she'd take it well. I'd like to what her father thought about her performance as Jane. I know Cyril Cusack was highly critical of his daughters' theatrical performances.
I'm starting to- tentatively- try my luck at getting some other interviews for Bronteana. I haven't approached anyone from this version yet, but I am thinking to give it a try after all. It might be strange asking them about a production they were in over 30 years ago, though! I'll start putting some of these questions together, in case someone agrees.
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Bronteana Bronte Studies Blog:
http://bronteana.blogspot.com
I think it's a great idea and just the fact that Jayston himself not too long ago referred to this as his favorite role leads me to believe he's going to have alot to say about it. Isn't there someone on the boards here who said that she/he knew him and he wanted a copy of the tape to see for himself back when it wasn't available.
Go for it and thanks in advance.
I do hope that he would agree! And as you say, he seems to be fond of it himself. Someone on Michael's imbd board did say that they knew him but I don't know if they are still around- or if they do actually know him. I'm going to try writing through their agents although it will probably take awhile. I've been waiting until I get my new address since I am going away to grad school soon and I would hate to lose a response in the mail! I'd really like to hear from Sorcha. It was one of her first roles.
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Bronteana Bronte Studies Blog:
http://bronteana.blogspot.com
Oh Sophie, hope you have success with this. Just yesterday I was thinking how nice it would be to get in touch with Sorcha and Jayston and let them know how much I enjoyed their performances. Do you happen to have the agents’ contact details to hand?
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