Pride and Prejudice Turns 200 on January 27

Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the first published copy of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, the BBC is putting on an authentic recreation of a Regency ball, titled Netherfield Ball. It is to be filed on location at Chawton, Hampshire, where Austen spent the last eight years of her life.

According to The Independent, "in the 90-minute [BBC] special, Pride and Prejudice: Having A Ball at Easter, experts will re-stage the planning and rehearsals for an early 19th century ball, as well as [look] back at the first-hand testimony of ball-goers of the time."

The program will look at all aspects of the food, beverages, costumes, dances, music, furnishings, and decorations. Experts—such as food historian Ivan Day, literary expert Professor John Mullan, author Amanda Vickery, curator and expert on the history of dress Hilary Davidson, and Stuart Marsden and Dr. Anne Daye who will choreograph the dancing—will ensure that all the details are authentic to the time period, place, and Austen's work. The program will also explore the social history of Austen's world.

Note, this ball is not open to public, even at exhorbitant fees, so I wonder who's going to get chosen (and how) to participate in the filming.

Would you be interested in participating in such a ball, or do you prefer to watch it on your television?