Jane Austen at the 麻豆约拍

For successive generations the works of Jane Austen have proved popular on 麻豆约拍 Television, from the most primitive live productions for only a handful of viewers in the 1930s, to major adaptations in High Definition widescreen today seen by millions across the world.

This archive compilation by Henrietta Foster traces all 麻豆约拍 TV Jane Austen TV productions, and was seen during the Jane Austen bicentenary celebrations.

Jane Austen at the 麻豆约拍, a celebration in film, TV and radio by Henrietta Foster.

A first for radio

The proposal scene from Pride and Prejudice was first of Jane Austen's works to be broadcast on the radio at 19.30 on the 15 January 1924 on '2L0', the 麻豆约拍's first radio station, heard only in the London area.

It formed part of what might be described as 'literary variety show', which included scenes from other plays and books, plus soft music by Frederick Austin performed by the 2LO Light Orchestra.

A first for television

Several radio adaptations later, and Pride and Prejudice was picked again for another first, this time for television.

The fledgling 麻豆约拍 Television Service, less than two years old and the first regular high definition service in the world took up the challenge to adapt the book for the small screen. The cramped studios at Alexandra Palace proved not to be a barrier to the talented cast and crew who put together a lavish, and live, production. Red hot studio lights and cameras that regularly failed on-air only added to the excitement.

An adaptation of Pride and Prejudice - the actor playing Mr Darcy is surrounded by two women in Regency dress. — Sumptuous sets at the Alexandra Palace studios were created despite a very tight budget for the 麻豆约拍鈥檚 first television adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. 麻豆约拍 Television Service, 22 May 1938, 21.25.

Sadly, recording of television by film means was not possible until the late 1940s and videotape was not available until 1956, so none of the early Austen productions were kept.

Videotape was expensive and could take up a large part of a programme budget. As a result no 麻豆约拍 Jane Austen TV productions were kept in their original form until 1971. Recording interior scenes in a studio, normally 麻豆约拍 Television Centre, and filming exterior shots on location became the norm until the 1990s, when viewers started to demand much better cinema-like standards in high definition.

Text: John Escolme

Archive compilation: Henrietta Foster