BBC Two’s new period drama exploring the lives of the bohemian Bloomsbury group, renowned for both their artistic talents and their relationships, follows a trend in recent BBC prime time dramas (e.g. Peaky Blinders, Wolf Hall) of taking risks and setting edgier tones. The subject matter then couldn’t be more apt for this sort of show. A Jane Austen adaptation this is not.
It could almost be seen as a glorified soap opera set in the 1920’s, if it weren’t for the driven, beautiful characters present; only made more enticing by the fact that they did actually live and breathe these very lives. The first episode in this mini-series shows the principal member’s earlier lives as they set out to ‘live in their own way’. This is stated by the young painter Vanessa Bell (played by Phoebe Fox) who along with her sister Virginia, the most recognisable name of the bunch, quickly rid themselves of their female confinement by throwing their corset’s, quite literally, out of the window, within the first few minutes. This notion of breaking free of oppression, which is prevalent in Virginia Woolf’s writing, certainly sticks with her character (Lydia Leonard) throughout the episode, later becoming frustrated with her sister’s apparent U-turn into conformity by marrying the slightly less exhilarating Clive Bell (Sam Hoare).
Sexual freedom takes other forms in this with the parts focusing on the homosexual member’s relationships and struggles. They often make light of their situation in this early 20th century society, regularly referring to themselves and each other as ‘degenerates’ and ‘inverts’ but the most poignant moment comes when the artist Duncan Grant (James Norton) confides in the doctor initially sent to examine him. All of the relationships that occur in the drama, whether it is between Grant and Lytton Strachey, played with bohemian brilliance by Ed Birch, or between Vanessa and Clive, are flimsy and throughout the episode it’s never quite clear whom they are going to ‘copulate’ with next, be it male, female or both.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFE_Gy2AcBg&w=560&h=315]
At times it can feel like it’s all about sex, the characters themselves even a little unsure, shown in a light hearted conversation between Bell and Grant on what the primary parts of a relationship are. Unsure of themselves they simultaneously offer a different interpretation, of ‘friendship’ and ‘sex’. With this as a principle subject matter throughout, it even comes close to feeling a little dull. It is clear however, that the friendship of the group and the bonding that occurs between these intelligent and talented artists and writers is also prominent and this is where their tale is so captivating.
Despite the fact there is no obvious action or even overt excitement present, the show succeeds in presenting an interesting narrative that in fact contains death, travel and the beginnings and break ups of a number of relationships. The character roster also is large enough that the audience is given glimpses of a variety of issues. At the end there is a short flash forward to their older counter parts who will appear at points in the series and the name drop of Vita Sackville-West, another more well-known member who hasn’t appeared yet, almost as an incentive to stay invested in this band of young misfits. Whether you have any interest in the Bloomsbury group at all or had even heard of them prior to this, it shouldn’t matter. After watching this you will want to know more about them.
Words by Tim Goodfellow