Jane Austen adaption awarded

BALLARAT National Theatre’s Pride and Prejudice podcast is an honouree in the Limited Series Podcast – Scripted Fiction category of the 2021 Webby Awards.

The not-for-profit theatre company’s dramatic audio book-style adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel was directed by Liana Skewes and narrated by Olivia French.

Starring 27 actors and produced by volunteers, the 14.5-hour podcast series launched last year, also offering music and other scene-setting ambient sounds. It has a fanbase spanning 121 countries.

“The best moment of the production so far has been when an aged care worker let us know that she had been playing our story to residents of one of the local nursing homes,” Skewes said.

“She sent one of the theatre company’s board members a text message to say that the residents applauded after the episodes and looked forward to hearing more.

“To know that this story has been getting so many people through difficult lockdowns when they are away from their loved ones, that is what has made all the hard work worth it.”

Other contenders in the Webby Awards category have been produced by international creative teams including HBO, Comedy Central and the BBC, so Skewes said the acknowledgement of BNT is also a broader celebration of Australia’s strong regional arts scene.

In Victoria’s first COVID-19 lockdown of 2020, BNT wanted to continue to provide performance opportunities while they couldn’t stage live theatre.

Skewes learnt to edit sound, and French, also playing Elizabeth Bennet, performed and recorded more than 120,000 words.

The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences-recognised awards process was the 25th annual event, receiving almost most 13,500 entries.

Visit prideandprejudicepodcast.com.