Both the recent adaptations of Jane Austen's chick-lit classic 'Pride and Prejudice' have had their 'Wet Moments'. In the BBC's 1995 version of the rom-dram it was, of course, the infamous wet shirt scene. In the Hollywood big screen version it came when Mr. Darcy's first proposal was rejected by Miss Elizabeth Bennett in an atmospheric downpour.
 | | Colin Firth as Mr Darcy |
This wet and memorable scene was actually filmed at the Temple of Apollo at Stourhead and it's across Stourhead's Palladin Bridge, having delivered one of the most elegant rejection speeches ever, that Elizabeth makes her exit. All of which makes Stourhead the perfect place to head, this week, not only to walk in the footsteps of Miss Elizabeth Bennett but to walk right in on Mr Darcy undressing. On Thursday 23rd March, at the Stourton Memorial Hall, there promises to be an 'exclusive viewing' of just that... the 'Undressing of Mr Darcy.' It's not Colin Firth or Matthew Macfadyen (sigh) but it is, we're promised, a Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy who will for 'your eyes only' be gradually stripped down to reveal all (well nearly) of a Regency man's wardrobe. The unique hour long undressing is presented by the History Wardrobe which, with readings from Jane Austen and other contemporary authors, will endeavour to uncover the period's fads and fashions: "The History Wardrobe are experts in Historical costume," says Stourhead's Michelle Fuller, "and they're bringing their own Mr. Darcy to Stourton Memorial Hall, which is the village hall part of the Stourhead Estate. "It's an exclusive viewing of Mr. Darcy, who they'll gradually undress and explain a little bit about the costumes as they go."
 | | Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy |
And it's not just men's corsetry and rumpled hairstyles that will be covered (or uncovered) in the presentation but Regency man’s smalls will also be touched on: "The Regency period was completely different to what we'd wear now," says Michelle, "for one thing the underwear was completely different. There were no zips, or Velcro so people had laces and buttons in quite extraordinary places to be able to get in and out of their clothes." 'Undressing Mr Darcy' with The History Wardrobe is at the Stourton Village Memorial Hall at Stourhead on Friday 24 March 2006. The ticket only event runs from 2.00pm to 3.30pm and booking is essential. For more information call: 01747 842012 or click on the link in the right hand column. | 
