BBC drama classics versus bonnet busters

[Eric]

I saw an article in today's Times about comments made by the former Director of the National Theatre in London, and also a former governor of the BBC, about how the Corporation ignores classic drama. A quote from the article:

Eyre, who was a BBC governor from 1995 until 2003, believes the broadcaster has abandoned plays by famous British writers such as William Shakespeare, George Bernard Shaw and TS Eliot.

Instead, he reckons it has narrowed its drama output over the past decade to focus almost exclusively on contemporary works. The only classics it has produced are adaptations of “bonnet buster” novels such as Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and Bleak House by Charles Dickens.
The BBC has also abandoned some of the greatest foreign playwrights such as Chekhov — and more recently Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller. (...)

He believes a bias against theatre has crept in at the corporation. “A programme like The Culture Show hardly does any theatre because it thinks it’s unfashionable,” said Eyre. The BBC2 show was launched almost five years ago, but has suffered by being moved around the schedules, while trying to appeal to a younger, trendier audience through its main presenter, the former pop star Lauren Laverne.

I love the term "bonnet buster"! As for "Famous British writers", both Eliot and Shaw were born abroad, but I see what Eyre is getting at.

Source: Former governor denounces BBC for dumping the Bard - Times Online

[beelzebubbles]

I like the term "bonnet busters" as well. Reminds me of the old appellation for romance novels, "bodice rippers."

[Eric]

You're right, Beelzebubbles. I'm sure the term is meant to have connotations.