First order of business: Please help us spread the word! If you blog or tweet or post on Facebook, will you give the upcoming event just a sentence or two? Maybe a link? Muchas gracias. What other ways can you think of to publicize? I plan to put a note on the bulletin board at our library. Thanks for the reminder to share the fun,
bccmee.
Prepare your mind: More than one of you suggested reading the book
North & South by
Elizabeth Gaskell. Not a bad idea at all, and will give you a lot of food for thought when it comes to watching the character development in the film. The book is in the public domain, so if you don't own a copy or can't borrow it, and you don't want to purchase it, you can find it free at
Project Gutenberg. There are also free audio versions on
Librivox.
If you do decide to purchase a copy, and/or you still need the DVD, please consider using the Amazon associate links on
RichardArmitageNet (found under the picture of the day on the home page) and they will send their proceeds to one of
Richard's preferred charities. Any time you shop Amazon for anything, you could use their link to do good.
Food: Hmmm, what do they actually eat on screen in
North & South? There's the workers' stew John enjoys, and there's Margaret's noisy, revolutionary toast. I always supposed she was buttering it, but perhaps she's spreading marmalade. And what does Hannah serve at her dinner besides soup? Help me out here. Is there more food mentioned in the book than the film? I can't remember.
For more modern fare, how about
Thornton's chocolates? That could represent Richard Armitage's smooth, chocolatey voice. And I saw some tweets about other "theme" food. Who said cupcakes with top hats? There's the old standby, popcorn, which could denote Fanny's popping attitude. Maybe have black licorice for the angry crow. Or try my favorite, Hot Tamales candy, which could represent the fire from the old dragon, or all that other smoldering that's going on. Though none of us need any added heat after waiting for the lovers' passion to finally steam up those train windows.
Drinks: Tea is of course appropriate. But if you can do it responsibly, I'd recommend a glass (or three) of wine.
Naturally you could go for soft drinks. Grape Crush in honor of Boucher? (Ooh. Can't believe I went there.) What about having a pint with Higgins, or some cognac and a cigar with the masters, Irish whiskey for the strike breakers? I'm thinking I might play a drinking game - every time someone says "tittle" or "tattle"-- drink. Ha!
Costume: If putting on a bonnet is your thing, go for it. Be prepared to share pictures. And do tell how long it took to iron your petticoats. Or go for comfort and find your sweatpants and a cozy top. I'm thinking I need a t-shirt that says, "My other shirt is a corset."
Don't forget a cuddly blanket, or a cuddly significant other to keep you warm.
Environment: I have some small children. I also have a wonderful husband and some older children. I am enlisting their help in planning so that I can have "just for mommy" time and they can also have some fun. We will be preparing their own entertainment with activities, movies, games and snacks. Do I really need to say
in another part of the house?
Now how about some added realism? Dig that train set out of your Christmas box and have the little choo-choo make a lap around the living room every once in awhile. Buy yourself some yellow roses, and don't forget to look back. Look back at me.
Links are in the sidebar to Twitter and Facebook, and the tabs above are to pages for Tweetchat and the timetables.
Thanks to everyone who made suggestions. More ideas? Did I leave out something important? Please share in the comments!
