Arts Channel NZ PREMIERING TITLES OCTOBER 2013

JANE AUSTEN: THE UNSEEN PORTRAIT

Monday 7 October, 9.45pm

Jane Austen is one of the most celebrated writers of all time, but with only a sketch drawn by her sister we have little idea of what she looked like. Specialist Austen biographer Dr. Paula Byrne thinks that this may be about to change – she believes that she’s discovered a portrait of the author which has been lost for nearly two centuries and may offer fascinating new insights into how Jane once lived and portrayed herself to the world. This historical detective story follows Paula’s quest to confirm that she really does hold one of the rarest literary portraits of all time. From eighteenth-century costume historians to the editor of Jane Austen’s letters, Paula must interrogate as many specialists as possible to build her case to prove that this really is Jane. Will the picture stand up to forensic analysis by three of the world’s most prominent Austen experts? And if it does, how might it change our perception of one of the world’s greatest writers? Jane Austen: The Unseen Portrait follows the compelling investigation behind this unique discovery and offers fascinating new insights into Austen's life and work.

FIRST TUESDAY BOOK CLUB (SEASON 7)

Tuesdays from 8 October, 8.30pm

Now in its 7th season, First Tuesday Book Club is Australia’s nationally televised book club that gathers together booklovers on a monthly basis. Hosted by Jennifer Byrne, with regular panellists Marieke Hardy and Jason Steger, each episode is an explosion of robust and passionate discussion covering one new release book, and one enduring classic.

TWELFTH NIGHT

Monday 14 October, 7.30pm

Filled with a cast of unforgettable characters, Twelfth Night combines cruelty with high comedy and the pangs of unrequited love with some of the subtlest poetry and most exquisite songs Shakespeare ever wrote. Mark Rylance reprises his widely celebrated performance of Olivia, 10 years after its original premiere at Middle Temple Hall and the Globe, and Stephen Fry joins as Malvolio. This wonderful production garnered a host of five star reviews from critics, including from the Telegraph's theatre critic Charles Spencer, who called the production "sensational".