Yorkshire Pac-Man

Let's start with a very funny article from The Times.

Yesterday, Penguin announced that it had teamed up with the computer games software company Ubisoft to release a novel based on the lead character from its hit title Assassin’s Creed. How long before the games company dips into the respected publisher’s classics?
Jane Eyre: Gold Digger
Charlotte Brontë’s classic gets a Tomb Raider-style makeover. Instead of a pneumatic Home Counties babe hunting for treasure, a frumpy northern lass must pull a rich landowner. First unseat Mr Rochester from his horse by dodging left and right, Frogger-style, until he falls. Then find the fire buckets concealed around Thornfield to douse flames as they erupt from the bed. Finally out The Mad Bitch in the Attic to rescue Mr Rochester and win the game.
Yorkshire Pac-man
Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë’s tale of suffocating obsession, is revived as the maze classic. Playing Heathcliff, you move around the Moors snaffling little yellow hearts, while being chased by evil Edgars and Hindleys. Eat enough and they are transformed into Cathy’s ghost. (Mike Pattenden)

Is it really so very bad of us to actually covet those games?

Well, back to reality and to where it all began. The Telegraph and Argus reports the early Christmas events to start taking place in Haworth one more year.

I'm all for a bit of eccentricity – how dull life would be without it. There are plenty of eccentric people and customs in Yorkshire – at this time of year they’re partial to a bit of Scroggling the Holly in Haworth. [...]
While you’re there, you can enjoy looking round the souvenir and antiquarian bookshops, visit the Bronte Parsonage, take a ride on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway or ramble along the numerous footpaths leading out of the village, including the most famous walk which leads to the Bronte Stone Chair. [...]
Next Saturday is the official start of the Christmas festive season in Haworth – Scroggleve, when youngsters dressed as goblins and fairies will be spreading pixie dust with holly princes, ivy princesses and attendants handing out sprigs of holly bow-tied with ribbons.
On Sunday, bands and Morris Men will lead a procession of children up the cobbled Main Street to the crowning of the Holly Queen on the steps of St Michael’s and All Angels’ Church. The Holly Queen will then unlock the church gates to invite the spirit of Christmas into Haworth, with Santa and Mrs Claus arriving with glad tidings and Christmas cheer for all.
The following weekend, you can check out the local shops and stalls for unique Christmas gifts, crafts and local produce with the Christmas Market Weekend. This is the perfect time to enjoy the atmosphere of a typical Victorian festive market, with bands, choirs, fairground organ and jugglers.
Pipes, Bows and Bells Weekend from November 28 is a celebration of music and dance, with a marching pipe band in tartan attire. Local Morris Men will perform their seasonal dances, with carol singers and street entertainers adding to the festive atmosphere from 11am. It’s a great time to de-stress while indulging in a little retail therapy.
The next weekend, you can experience the magic of pantomime at Christmas, with many of your favourite panto characters in the shops on Main Street. You don’t have to just watch it – you can join the many visitors and dress up to take part in the parade. There are prizes for the best dressed characters.
Highlight of the countdown will be the famous Torchlight Weekend, which will be launched by a lantern parade on Saturday, December 12. Children and adults are invited to join in the procession up Main Street, carrying home-made lanterns.
The following evening, from about 5pm, the Christmas procession will be shedding a magical glow on the surroundings. People should gather at the bottom of Main Street, ready for the procession as the sun sets and Main Street glows with the light from hundreds of torches reflecting off the cobbles. To bring the evening to a suitable conclusion, you can join the traditional carol service at St Michael’s Church.
The torchlight procession started more than 25 years ago with only half-a-dozen or so shopkeepers. When residents and visitors saw it, the event gained in popularity, growing year by year.
The final festive weekend in Haworth reflects the true spirit of Christmas with the Nativity procession. Mary and Joseph will wend their way up Main Street, looking for an inn for the night. Children and local choirs will then join together to help create the real meaning and magic of Christmas. (Sue Ward)

The Brontë Parsonage Blog reports - in the words of Syrie James herself - that The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë has been chosen as one of the Great Group Reads of 2009 by the Women’s National Book Association.

Exciting news! The Women’s National Book Association has named my novel, The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë, one of the Great Group Reads of 2009. I am delighted because I truly believe that Charlotte’s story will open up lively discussions about a host of timely and provocative topics.
The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë, by Avon/HarperCollins Publishing in July 2009, is the result of many years of intense research and writing. As a devoted Brontë scholar, I was intrigued by how many of Charlotte's own life experiences found their way into her novels, and I found immense pleasure in bringing her true story to life on the page. [...]
As part of my research I made an extended visit to the Brontë Parsonage Museum. I owe a debt of gratitude to Ann Dinsdale, the Collections Manager, for her gracious welcome to both the house and library, and to Sarah Laycock, the museum’s Library and Information Officer, for sharing many wonderful details about Charlotte’s clothing and other garments in the collection. I also was privileged to receive an unforgettable, attic-to-cellar tour of the former Roe Head School in Mirfield which Charlotte attended, which still sports the legend of a mysterious attic-dwelling ghost.

And from Haworth all the way to China, where according to China.org.cn the Jane Eyre performances at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing will begin another round on December 10th.

"Love in a Fallen City" star Chen Shu will take over the lead role for stage drama "Jane Eyre" in its second round of performance from December 10 to 23, Beijing Star Daily reports.
Rumor has it that the original female lead, Yuan Quan, who announced her marriage with follow actor Xia Yu in late August, is now pregnant and had to drop out of the production.
As the first original stage drama presented by the National Center for the Performing Arts, "Jane Eyre," co-starring celebrated actress Yuan Quan and Chinese Broadway star Wang Luoyong, was widely acclaimed by the audience after its debut in June.
Chen Shu talked about the pressure in recasting the fine image portrayed by Yuan Quan while not being restrained and affected by the original.
Actress Chen Shu became well known after playing Bai Liushu in "Love in a Fallen City," a TV adaptation from Eileen Chang's novel. Before that, she was already an established actress on stage, and has successfully played a slew of roles such as Chen Balu in the play "Sunrise."

The University Observer has an article on Autumn leaves which includes part of Emily Brontë's famous autumnal poem: Fall, leaves, fall.

Laura alerted us to her All About the Brontes challenge for 2010. A challenge that seems tailor-made for BrontëBlog readers. Do read her post on it for further details.

Author Melissa Marr includes a Q&A on her blog where she reveals herself as a Brontëite. And on Spanish Moss Vintage, photographer Lucia Holm picks Jane Eyre as her favourite heroine.

A Teenager's Bookclub writes about Jane Eyre while Roobeedoo posts about the Jane Eyre look. Dimsy's Top Period Dramas looks at Brontë adaptations. And finally, YouTube user Jane Learmonth recites Life by Charlotte Brontë.

Categories: Alert, Books, Brontëites, Haworth, Humour, Jane Eyre, Poetry, Theatre, Websites, Weirdo, Wuthering Heights