I must admit, I’m not much of a fan of reality television. I don’t particularly care who gets voted off the island or the stage, and watching it all somehow seems voyeuristic, even though everyone involved knows you’re watching and is perfectly fine with it. There is, as there always must be, an exception. I do watch Dancing with the Stars. Anyone familiar with the show knows that DWTS is on twice a week. Monday night is dance night and Tuesday night is elimination night, where one couple (a professional dancer paired with a celebrity) is eliminated from the season’s competition. I don’t watch Tuesday night–too slow and too painful. I’m just in it for the dancing, and I know that I’ll find out next Monday who’s missing. (Or, there’s always the possibility that I won’t even notice….)

Dancing with the Stars tracks the progress of thirteen (or so) dance partner pairs over the course of a season, in which they learn and then perform a series of ballroom dances in a competition-style setting on live TV. My favorites are the quick step for its lightness and exuberance, the Paso Doble for the drama and flair, and the Argentine tango with all those little kicks! The Viennese waltz, too, is lovely to watch. So romantic, flowing, and intimate. Sigh…

Every now and then they do a special night of dancing: Classical Night, Motown Night, etc. Well, after Sally posted about planning the Netherfield ball, I couldn’t help but imagine a few of these dances subbing in for the pivotal English Country Dances in our beloved Pride & Prejudice.

Imagine, if you will…[and be patient through the extra bits in the videos]

Elizabeth and Darcy acting out the passionate but confrontational Paso Doble, with its sweeping skirts, attack poses, and proud tone. Some things that should not have been said may never have surfaced…

Or what about Elizabeth and Mr. Collins dancing the Argentine tango, and a few of those sassy little kicks just…perhaps…going askew…? This one probably has too many lifts though…Mr. Collins would likely drop her. Or, I suppose Elizabeth could offer to lead…

Or Jane and Bingley in a sweeping, romantic, beautiful waltz that leaves no opportunity for misconceptions…

And I can’t leave Wickham out of the party! For him, a jaunty quick step–keep moving, stay one step ahead of your enemies, and maybe you’ll never get caught…

Just imagine a roomful of Netherfield’s gentry tangoing with red roses tight in their teeth and bodies pressed tightly together. The gossip over tea the morning after would be something else entirely! Ballgowns would be swishier and showier, and romance would definitely be in the air! There’s a retelling for you…

Typically, the dance routines act out a little story: a forbidden romance, good girl gone bad, etc. Wouldn’t it be fun if each couple was given a scene from an Austen novel and allowed to choose their dance, music, and costumes? I would be positively glued to the set.

If you could choose, which scene from which novel would you choose to see portrayed through ballroom dance? If you like, you can specify the dancers too. Enjoy!

Alyssa Goodnight

Alyssa Goodnight currently lives between Houston and Galveston with her husband, two sons, and their adventure dogs, Indiana Jones and Short Round. She does her writing with an ice-cold can of Dr Pepper and her reading with cake whenever possible (now gluten-free!) Her writing has been described as clever, quirky, captivating and delightful. She is the author of Austentatious, Austensibly Ordinary, and Unladylike Pursuits.

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