Seren reports on a recent 'Evening with Sally Wainwright'.
On 12th March 2021, I attended a panel talk hosted by Holly Lynch, MP for Halifax in conversation with Sally Wainwright, a prolific screenwriter well known for her work on TV over the past two decades. [...]
While her most recent drama has brought the life of 19th century lesbian Anne Lister into the public consciousness, she has had to tackle with issues of dramatizing history and representing real life figures from the past. With this comes a responsibility, which she finds daunting when portraying other historical figures such as the Bronte’s in her drama To Walk Invisible, and the pressures of fidelity and fair representation. While there are stark parallels in attitudes towards women then and now, Sally’s programmes all have a connection in their Yorkshire settings. She confessed that this was not an intentional decision, and the landscape of her native Halifax has been appreciated in a new way through the portrayal of it in her series. Often it’s as attractive for her viewers as her storylines and characters, and the shared affinity for the town between herself and Holly proves it plays a huge part in her success. Wainwright claims to write about women who she’d like to be, such as landowners, ground-breaking novelists and policewomen by recognising these experiences through shared stories. The conversation went on to discuss how her shows have had a huge impact on the Calderdale district, bringing a boost in tourism and the economy as viewers have been inspired to flock to the real landscape seen on screen (with an added reveal of the first episode of Happy Valley Series 3 being greenlit!) (James Tanner)
Oh the shame if this interview had been face to face! We are still blushing by proxy.
Deadline interviews Oscar-nominated costume designer Alexandra Byrne and asks her:
DEADLINE: You mentioned your past work on a different Jane Eyre movie, Persuasion. How much inspiration do you think you took from that into Emma? (Ryan Fleming)
Oh dear.
Reporter Rachel Fergus
"Agnes Grey" by Anne Brontë
Anne Brontë, Charlotte and Emily Brontë’s younger sister, is often overlooked when people talk about the Brontë sisters. Charlotte’s “Jane Eyre” and Emily’s “Wuthering Heights” are both set firmly in English literature’s canon. but Anne’s work is for some reason often left out, which is a shame.
“Agnes Grey” follows the titular character as she works as a governess for the Bloomfield family and later the Murray family. Throughout her time working, Agnes begins to learn about herself and what she wants in life. The plot sounds simple but the novel moves quickly and keeps the reader entertained.
The thing that I love most about this book is the commentary that Anne makes about gender and the environment. Though she wrote in the 1840s, Anne argues for gender equality and the importance of protecting the natural world. Brontë’s critiques on human destruction of nature is even more potent now than when she lived.
Anne Brontë only published one other book, “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall,” is also generations ahead of its time. In it, Brontë writes powerfully about abusive relationships and women’s rights. I highly recommend both of Anne’s novels.
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