[Vwoolf] "Life in Squares" reaction

Tue Aug 4 05:14:30 EDT 2015

[post-second episode] It's beginning to bother me that all we see are the
points of crisis or sex. Okay, all narratives require dramatic tension, but
going for the obvious--She's overdosed! They're having sex!--is the easy
way out. There can be riveting drama in the way people choose to live in
the day-to-day, as Woolf's novels show; the programmes, alas, have no
subtlety.

Mary Ellen

On Mon, Aug 3, 2015 at 3:51 PM, Jeannette Smyth <
jeannette_smyth at earthlink.net> wrote:

> As an American, it is not a natural reaction for me to visualize the
> Bloomsberries in their native habitat -- the interiors or exteriors. To see
> them imagined -- for example, the plain metal single beds in which Thoby
> dies, and Grant and Strachey have such excellent pillow talk, the plain,
> uncarpeted panelled room in which young Vanessa presides -- by
> well-informed set designers, is a real gift.
>
> The other real gift is to think the younger generation has let go of the
> sexually abused insane Virginia and replaced that ill-nuanced portrait with
> another I like better -- the adulterous revolutionary Virginia who snaked
> her sister's husband.
>
> The centrality of Vanessa to the revolution also is asserted,
> salubriously, I think, and the sweetness and industry of Grant's character.
> Neither come through so clearly in Woolf's own letters and diaries.
>
> The interiors and the charm of Grant are what I'm enjoying, along with the
> brilliant suggestion that we Yanks all sign up for tellypass.
> http://www.tellypass.com/
>
> Thanks!
> Jeannette Smyth
>
> *From:* Lindsay Martin <lindsay at lindsaycmartin.co.uk>
> *Sent:* Saturday, August 01, 2015 3:49 AM
> *To:* 'Mary Ellen Foley' <mefoleyuk at gmail.com> ; 'Sarah M. Hall'
> <smhall123 at yahoo.co.uk>
> *Cc:* vwoolf at lists.osu.edu
> *Subject:* Re: [Vwoolf] "Life in Squares" reaction
>
> I agree; I would have thought for the average viewer much of it was
> incomprehensible, especially the end when different people suddenly appear
> with no clue as to who they are.  I suspect that the effort to be
> ‘impressionistic’ and ‘atmospheric’ has led to a minimalisation of content.
>
>
>
> Lindsay C Martin
>
> 0208 245 3580/07734 106131
>
>
>
> *From:* Vwoolf [mailto:vwoolf-bounces+lindsay=
> lindsaycmartin.co.uk at lists.osu.edu] *On Behalf Of *Mary Ellen Foley
> *Sent:* 31 July 2015 14:17
> *To:* Sarah M. Hall
> *Cc:* vwoolf at lists.osu.edu
> *Subject:* Re: [Vwoolf] "Life in Squares" reaction
>
>
>
> Uncharacteristically for me, I no opinion of the programme as a whole,
> just fragments that don't add up to much. For one thing, I spent the hour
> answering my husband's questions about the different characters, their
> relationships and occupations, and whether the events in the script really
> happened.  I thought the costumes gorgeous.  As in the hours, we see
> Vanessa and Virginia kissing, this time also talking of marriage, and I am
> rather disappointed that now a huge swathe of the public will believe that
> the two of them threw their corsets out the window. (I realize that this
> was symbolic--you'd have to be from an alien species not to notice them hit
> you on the head with that one--but I mind it more when they do that to real
> people, in a way that I don't when they, for example, have a soaking-wet Mr
> Darcy meet Elizabeth because the modern audience might not understand the
> thorough awkwardness of their meeting, because these days we're unfamiliar
> with their social context.)
>
> I thought the acting prize should go to the fellow playing Lytton!  I saw
> that they gave him a lankier look by making his sleeves too short, but
> *how* did he make his posture and movements and hands so Lyttonesque?
> (Misquoting Olivier to answer my own question: "Acting, dear boy.")
>
> I look forward to seeing the next one, when they're older.  I hope to be
> able to watch it without needing to give a running commentary--
>
> Mary Ellen
>
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Jul 31, 2015 at 1:56 PM, Sarah M. Hall <smhall123 at yahoo.co.uk>
> wrote:
>
> Ah, yes, their 'choice' is often a programme they want to say something
> about, for good or ill. I expect they feel they have to do this in the
> interests of 'balance'!
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> *From:* Stuart N. Clarke <stuart.n.clarke at btinternet.com>
> *To:* vwoolf at lists.osu.edu
> *Sent:* Friday, 31 July 2015, 13:49
>
>
> *Subject:* Re: [Vwoolf] "Life in Squares" reaction
>
>
>
> It’s my *textual deduction* that the “Radio Times” must believe that the
> TV schedules are rubbish, if they consider that a programme they slate is
> one of the best of the week.
>
>
>
> Stuart
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Sarah M. Hall <smhall123 at yahoo.co.uk>
>
> *Sent:* Friday, July 31, 2015 1:08 PM
>
> *To:* Stuart N. Clarke <stuart.n.clarke at btinternet.com> ;
> vwoolf at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu
>
> *Subject:* Re: [Vwoolf] "Life in Squares" reaction
>
>
>
> On the subject of the timing, I get the feeling that the Monday night slot
> was a last-minute decision. On Wed 22nd the BBC Media web page was giving a
> broadcast date of 30 July; the day after, it had been changed to say that
> the first episode would be Mon 27 July. More confusion in the Charleston
> magazine Canvas, where an article by the drama's producer Lucy Bedford
> refers to 'the series that will air on BBC2 in August', only for a note at
> the end to tell readers 'Life in Squares will be broadcast on BBC2 from 30
> July (scheduling may be subject to change).'
>
>
>
> It was obvious that the series was going to focus more on the lives than
> the work (it's a drama, after all), but I'm hoping that we'll hear more
> about VW the writer in episodes 2 and 3. I thought the sets and costumes
> were great, and hope they continue so.
>
>
>
> I can't agree with you about the quality of British TV, though, Stuart --
> there is some fantastic stuff, you just have to be selective (the Radio
> Times would help!). I recommend sticking chiefly to the BBC channels.
>
>
>
> Sarah
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> *From:* Stuart N. Clarke <stuart.n.clarke at btinternet.com>
> *To:* vwoolf at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu
> *Sent:* Friday, 31 July 2015, 10:00
> *Subject:* [Vwoolf] "Life in Squares" reaction
>
>
>
> We no longer buy the “Radio Times”, but a friend left a copy of the 25-31
> Jul 2015 issue in our house.  There is a feature, "Bloomsbury Bedhoppers:
> Virginia Nicholson - Virginia Woolf's great-niece - insists that there's
> more to this cerebral set of friends than love triangles . . .", which
> incorrectly stated that the first episode was on Thursday (as originally
> scheduled), rather than Monday (as actually scheduled).  The preview page
> for Monday had a negative summing up by Alison Graham.  Finally, the “best
> this week” section summarised: "Unintentionally gigglesome biopic of the
> tiresome Bloomsbury Group, centred on sisters Vanessa and Virginia.
> Everyone is terrifically tortured."
>
>
>
> I deduce from this last that even the “Radio Times” thinks that the TV
> schedules are rubbish.
>
>
>
> Stuart
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Maggie Humm <M.Humm at uel.ac.uk>
>
> *Sent:* Thursday, July 30, 2015 6:11 PM
>
> *To:* Roy <roy at mantex.co.uk>; 'Dianne Hunter' <dianne.hunter1 at gmail.com>
> ; vwoolf at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu
>
> *Subject:* Re: [Vwoolf] Fwd: [MKTG] News from Charleston - Life inSquares
> reaction, Summer Activities, Cressida Bell
>
>
>
> I disagree.
>
> The costumes are often exact models of many seen in photographs of the
> Bloomsbury group. For example Vanessa's painting smock resembles the one
> she wore painting Lady Cecil 1905 Tate Archive. See Frontispiece Bell
> Sketches in Pen and Ink.
>
> The lighting and cinematography have a dark authenticity as you would
> expect from Simon Kaijser the Swedish film director (who describes himself
> as a secular humanist and climber - perfect for Bloomsbury?). The filmic
> quality is immediately evident in the deftly overlapping conversations at
> Thoby's Thursday evenings.
>
>
>
> Frances Spalding's review is very accurate. The Lady review summed up one
> of the delights of the series so far with its praise for the "epicene" men
> - James Norton particularly fine as the young Duncan but it's an ensemble
> cast.
>
> http://www.lady.co.uk/culture/9012-life-in-squares
>
> Some of the dialogue is anachronistic but hopefully will bring in younger
> viewers. I'd have liked a less angsty Virginia but her wit and humour may
> develop in later episodes.
>
> Can't wait for episode 2
>
> Maggie
>
> ________________________________
> From: Vwoolf [vwoolf-bounces+m.humm=uel.ac.uk at lists.osu.edu] on behalf of
> Roy [roy at mantex.co.uk]
> Sent: 30 July 2015 14:32
> To: 'Dianne Hunter'; vwoolf at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu
> Subject: Re: [Vwoolf] Fwd: [MKTG] News from Charleston - Life in Squares
> reaction, Summer Activities, Cressida Bell
>
> Don’t worry – you are not missing much
>
> The programme is an awful example of BBC costume drama
>
> It’s poorly acted, with bad casting, wooden dialogue, and atrocious
> lighting
>
> If you know anything about the Bloomsbury Group, it will leave you feeling
> queasy.
>
> Roy Johnson
> www.mantex.co.uk<http://www.mantex.co.uk>
>
>
>
> From: Vwoolf [mailto:vwoolf-bounces at lists.osu.edu] On Behalf Of Dianne
> Hunter
> Sent: 30 July 2015 12:05
> To: vwoolf at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu
> Subject: [Vwoolf] Fwd: [MKTG] News from Charleston - Life in Squares
> reaction, Summer Activities, Cressida Bell
>
> How can this be seen in the US?
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Charleston <info at charleston.org.uk<mailto:info at charleston.org.uk>>
> Date: Thu, Jul 30, 2015 at 5:02 AM
> Subject: [MKTG] News from Charleston - Life in Squares reaction, Summer
> Activities, Cressida Bell
> To: Diane <dianne.hunter at trincoll.edu<mailto:dianne.hunter at trincoll.edu>>
>
> Summer Activities at Charleston for all
>
> View this email in your browser<
> http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=323082af50&e=03a771b0d6
> >
>
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>
>
>
> [
> https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e/images/Charleston_Mailchimp_banner.jpg
> ]
>
>
>
>
>
> So - did you watch the first episode? Well over 2 million people did, and
> we're delighted at the response to the BBC2 drama Life in Squares<
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=fc024fe86b&e=03a771b0d6>
> so far. Some of the reaction is highlighted below, and we look forward to
> episodes two and three where Charleston will feature more prominently
> (August 3 and 10, 9pm).
>
>
>
> [
> https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e/images/94ecee42-de10-48ee-adc8-ffef158c2832.jpg
> ]
>
>
>
> Notwithstanding the interest surrounding Life in Squares, we continue to
> have a busy summer. After sell out performances of Opera in the Orchard and
> Twelfth Night earlier this month, we encourage the younger generation to
> Charleston with plenty of activities for families including special family
> tours, garden trails and our Young Bohemians creating their own production
> of Midsummer Night's Dream!
>
> Our crowd funding campaign is boosted with the reveal of Cressida Bell's
> exclusive designs for the silk scarf reward - beautiful and a brilliant
> reward for donating to the appeal.
>
> Finally, with all the interest in Charleston we have extended our summer
> opening hours<
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=01a2095b1a&e=03a771b0d6>.
> However we strongly recommend that if you want to visit or indeed revisit
> us this summer, please book in advance <
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=2f4e88c269&e=03a771b0d6>
> to avoid disappointment - everything Bloomsbury seems to be very popular!!
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "Life in Squares - Reviews and Reaction
>
> "The original rebels without a cause are back" The Telegraph<
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=cd27e2b824&e=03a771b0d6
> >
>
> Who's Who and played by Who - Radio Times<
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=1adb1386ad&e=03a771b0d6
> >
>
> "Their great legacy is not liberated sex but the paramount value they
> placed on friendship" The Sunday Times<
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=0d5ef9650e&e=03a771b0d6>
> - by Priya Parmar (subscription required)
>
> "I grew up with the Bloomsberries. For me, it isn’t a story, it’s real"
> The Times <
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=5cfdf2256c&e=03a771b0d6>
> - by Virginia Nicholson (subscription required)
>
> "Many of our modern ideas about art, economics, history, sexuality and
> feminism come from them".The Guardian<
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=9553242929&e=03a771b0d6>
> - preview
>
> "the performances are uniformly wonderful" The Guardian<
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=cb6980abfe&e=03a771b0d6>
> – review
>
> "the imaginative power of this series. It successfully gets inside the
> complicated emotions behind the unorthodox relationships within Bloomsbury,
> which is an impressive feat." The Conversation<
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=d30f0877e3&e=03a771b0d6>
> – by Frances Spalding
>
> You can watch Episode 1 on the BBCiPlayer<
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=379ef777dd&e=03a771b0d6
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Childrens' Activities at Charleston this summer
>
>
>
> [
> https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e/images/b1ac84d9-aff0-46c4-a6f8-98bd0cca57b1.jpg
> ]
>
> There are plenty of ways to fulfill the artistic and inquisitive minds of
> your younger ones this summer at Charleston with activities for all ages
> and families.
>
> Young Bohemians<
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=f08db3b498&e=03a771b0d6>
> - All week, the Young Bohemians will create their own production of
> Midsummer Night's Dream. Set, props and costume will be made from scratch,
> parts learnt, friends made, all culminating in a magical end-of –week
> performances for families and friends. 17-21 August. Book Now<
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=4fb8edf7ee&e=03a771b0d6
> >
>
>
>
>
>
> * Secret Garden Trails<
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=08c30f8239&e=03a771b0d6>
> - FREE and available from the shop and focus on searching for statues in
> the Charleston gardens, drawing and colouring in
> * Family Tours<
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=9662c59bd7&e=03a771b0d6>
> - We do special 30 minute tours at 11.30am on Saturdays 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29
> August. The best day for families with very young children to visit is
> Sunday. On Sundays there are stewards in each of the rooms so that you can
> see the house at your own pace. There is also a children’s trail that you
> can do together as you go around the house
> * Outsider Events at Small Wonder Festival, Sept 23-27 - Storytelling in
> the Garden<
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=b587854e05&e=03a771b0d6>;
> Create a Picture Book workshop<
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=75c1112396&e=03a771b0d6>;
> Illustrated Fantastical Fiction workshop<
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=381dabce5f&e=03a771b0d6
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Art Happens : Cressida Bell's exclusive design for our Silk Scarf revealed!
> We're delighted that Cressida has designed an exclusive Charleston
> pattern, used for the first time to support our Art Happens campaign in the
> form of a 32 inch x 32 inch beautiful silk scarf<
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=963c543406&e=03a771b0d6
> >.
>
> By donating £100<
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=a7e59aa364&e=03a771b0d6>
> to our campaign to restore some of the painted surfaces in the House - you
> will not only receive this beautiful scarf but also a pair of tickets to
> the VIP unveiling of the restoration work in March 2016 at Charleston.
>
> We're now up to 65% towards our target of £25,000 which is amazing - your
> support as always is invaluable, but we need to get 100% in order to access
> any of the funds promised so far.
>
> Coming soon : the design for the Tote Bag reward.... watch this space!<
> http://charleston.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=6693a0c45ceff92c07e52c75e&id=155c0334ad&e=03a771b0d6
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> is a crowd funding campaign with several levels of donation ranging from £5
> to £995. In return, supporters will receive rewards which range from
> postcard sets with Charleston’s iconic design motifs to mounted fragments
> of wallpaper from the Library (£200) to an exclusive patterned scarf (£100)
> and tote bag (£25) designed by Cressida Bell. There will also be the
> opportunity to have lunch with Henrietta Garnett, grand-daughter of Vanessa
> Bell and Duncan Grant, prior to attending the unveiling of the restoration
> work at the start of next season in March 2016. Donate Now<
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> Watch Jon Snow exploring the need for this restoration project<
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> Small Wonder 2015 - the Short Story Festival at Charleston - Tickets now
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