The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister
What if Mr. Darcy was just Darcy? That question is essentially answered in The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister, a pre-Victorian era lesbian love story, showing tonight, Friday, Jan. 21, at 7 and 9:15 p.m. at the DC JCC as part of the Reel Affirmations Xtra series. Based on the true diaries of Anne Lister, a wealthy landowner in the early 1800s, the story captures the spirit of a woman who steadfastly refuses to wed any suitor in defiance of her family, though she does give her heart to a woman who eventually betrays her by marrying a man. The real diaries that Anne wrote in code wouldn’t be deciphered until the 1930s, but their story of forbidden love is one that can be found in countless films over the years. In fact, there’s little that distinguishes this story from many others — other than the fact Anne was living as a semi-out lesbian in the early part of the 19th century. Maxine Peake is wonderful as Anne, making sure the character is strong and filled with moxie, giving her a hard exterior for all areas of life except romance. Jane English’s script captures the timeless nature of finding love and becomes a tale of inspiration and admiration for a woman who refused to live by the rules in a man's world. Tonight, Friday, Jan. 21, at 7 and 9:15 p.m. The Aaron & Cecile Goldman Theater, Washington, D.C.’s Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. NW. Tickets are $12. Call 800-494-TIXS or click here.
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