Jane Austen's World

In 1993 Colin Firth starred opposite Jemma Redgrave (Lady Betram, Mansfield Park) in Chatsky, in which the hero of the play tells the truth and is mistaken for a lunatic.  It is amazing to see the images from that play,  for, since it is set during Regency times, Colin in full costume could easily be mistaken as Mr. Darcy, a role he would play two years later. Jemma played Lady Bertram in 2007′s Mansfield Park. Although the part was written against type (at the end of the film, Lady Bertram energetically unites Fanny with Edmund), her portrayal of that indolent lady was fresh and memorable.

Image @The AFirthionado Archive

To see more pictures of Chatsky and to read about the play, go to: The AFirthionado

Colin in 1993. Image @The AFirthionado Archive

Colin in 1995

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Posted in Jane Austen's World, Mr.Darcy, Popular culture | Tagged Chatsky, Colin Firth, Gemma Redgrave, Plays set in the Regency era | 17 Comments

17 Responses

1. on July 31, 2011 at 15:39 Jeannette J

   What a beautiful picture of Jemma Redgrave, too!

   
   
2. on July 31, 2011 at 15:42 Raquel

   Same hair style, same sideburns, so the same lovely creature!

   
   
3. on July 31, 2011 at 16:08 Tara Fly

   As an admirer of Vanessa Redgrave, I can’t get over how close the family resemblence is between all the related actors! This photo of Jemma could easily be a young portrait of her aunt! :)

   Of course, Colin will always be Mr. Darcy!

   
   
4. on July 31, 2011 at 16:22 mitchell

   Such a wonderful actor; it puzzles me that he is so despised by so many English film fans, no clue why.
   Jemma Redgrave is the most underrated actor in that brilliant family — now alas, it seems that there are only herself, her aunt and her cousin Joely left. I had the pleasure of seeing her in “The Three Sisters” 20 years ago with her two aunts; she was excellent in that but the most amazing performance she has given, IMHO, was in Shaw’s “Major Barbara” back in 1998 — Shaw can be so dull onstage, but Redgrave, co-star Peter Bowles and director Peter Hall created a wonderful production.

   
   
5. on July 31, 2011 at 16:37 Gayle Mills

   I love this blog. I inevitably learn something new. Thanks.

   
   
6. on July 31, 2011 at 16:57 annajohanna

   I say yummy!

   
   
7. on July 31, 2011 at 17:54 Suzan

   I had never heard of Chatsky. Thanks for the info.

   
   
8. on July 31, 2011 at 18:45 Karen Wasylowski

   Agree with you Gayle, I always find something new and this site always pops up when I’m researching something from the Regency. It is invaluable

   
   
9. on July 31, 2011 at 22:40 Karen Field

   I had never heard of Chatsky before either. I will say this: I have seen some pictures lately of Mr. Firth in his younger days, teens, and he was not the handsome and to die for looking man he is now. I think his looks improved from Chatsky to Pride and Prejudice. I think that he’s gorgeous!

   
   
10. on August 1, 2011 at 01:07 Karen

    I liked Jenna in “Howard’s End” even though her appearances were brief. I just YESTERDAY watched Colin as Darcy for perhaps the 20th time, lol, and oh, he is so wonderful! He brings such poignancy and even dry humor into the role. He steals every scene where Mrs. Bennet is chattering away. You can see in his portryal how Mr.Darcy slowly succumbs to Lizzie’s charm and vivacity by his subtle and vulnerable facial expressions. I think Colin brings just enough of his peronal charm into every role to really own it. I was so impressed with his interviews about playing King George VI, and the fact that he’d known so little about the King or even the historical period, yet bonded so totally with the essence of the man, shows why his was really an award-winning performance.

    
    
11. on August 1, 2011 at 09:44 Enid Wilson

    He’s still as handsome!

    
    
12. on August 1, 2011 at 10:30 Jean | Delightful Repast

    Aah … Colin Firth. ‘Nuf said. And Jemma Redgrave is marvelous. Have you seen her television series Bramwell? It’s been several years since I watched it. Think I’m ready to rent it again.

    
    
13. on August 1, 2011 at 11:14 Un nemico al giorno

    Aw.

    
    
14. on August 1, 2011 at 11:52 Trez

    I agree with Jeanette, Jemme Redgrave is so very beautiful.

    
    
15. on August 1, 2011 at 18:49 Mary Ellen

    it is perhaps the lighting and the angle, but he appears younger and more boyish in the 1993 photo.
    Love it all.

    
    
16. on August 3, 2011 at 17:34 Dentelline

    Colin is the best Mr. Darcy !!!
    Dommage que je n’aie pas pu voir cette pièce de théâtre!
    Thanks for photos!
    Bises,
    Dentelline

    
    
17. on August 7, 2011 at 02:17 Gazeta de Meryton, 7 de agosto de 2011 | Jane Austen em Português

    […] Jane Austen’s World : “Colin Firth: Before He Was Darcy” […]

    
    

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