LILY ALLEN TEASES JANE AUSTEN

Some times it is impossible to get a headline right. Which do you prefer? A: “Singer Lily Allen is to make her mainstream acting debut.’

Or B: “Comedian Russell Brand set to star in new version of “Pride and Prejudice”’

Allen and Brand in Jane Austen. Hang on a minute! What kind of Carry On is this?

You guessed it. They making a flat out comedy of the classic novel. How dare they?

So perhaps the headline should be: ‘Brits to make spoof of the Jane Austen sacred cow.’

Whatever, the film, to be called “Jane Austen Handheld”, will be directed by Tristram Shapeero, who cut his teeth on the TV comedy Peep Show, which gives you some idea of the tone of this spoof.

Allen will play haughty Lydia Bennett with Brand as her wavering suitor George Wickham and Stephen Fry as her father. The role of mother Elizabeth has yet to be cast.

Set to start shooting early next year, the project has a not so funny budget of £2.5m.

Filed October 17, 2007