The Gentleman Jack Effect

An exclusive new film showcasing the story of world-famous Anne Lister biographer, Helena Whitbread, is in the making. Keen to maximise the impact of the ‘Gentleman Jack effect’, Calderdale Council will release its recent interview with Helena to the world through a special film on Anne Lister’s 232^nd birthday, 3rd April 2023.

The film will delve into the fascinating work of the renowned historian, who discovered and decoded Anne Lister’s diaries and has published three books covering the diaries and life of Shibden Hall’s remarkable resident.

Anne lived from 1791 to 1840 and was a landowner, entrepreneur, mountaineer, scholar, traveller and lesbian. Her diaries, totalling over five million words, detailed her life, loves, health, business interests and politics, and were brought to an international audience through Sally Wainwright’s BBC / HBO series, Gentleman Jack.

The Council’s Collections Officer, Angela Clare, interviewed Helena Whitbread at Shibden Hall this week, captured on camera by West Yorkshire filmmaker, Limehouse Films. The resulting film, ‘The Helena Whitbread Story’ will detail Helena’s lifetime’s work transcribing, publishing and speaking about Anne’s diaries.

Her diaries, totalling over five million words, detailed her life, loves, health, business interests and politics

Angela has interviewed Helena several times over the years, including at Shibden Hall, Holdsworth House and for a conference with the Brontë Parsonage Museum in 2019.

Filmed on site at Shibden in 2015 by Limehouse Films and released in early 2016, one of Angela’s interviews with Helena has now been viewed online over 770,000 times by people across the globe, and by thousands of visitors to the Hall.

The sequel film, ‘The Helena Whitbread Story’ will be premiered after a live talk with Helena and Angela at Bankfield Museum in Halifax on Anne’s birthday, Monday 3rd April at 2pm. Tickets to the live interview are now available to book at https://museums.calderdale.gov.uk/whats-on. The film will be launched at www.calderdale.gov.uk/museums and on social media to be seen and shared throughout the world.

Cllr Jenny Lynn, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, said:

“We were blown away by the phenomenal success of Gentleman Jack and the impact it had on visitor numbers at Shibden Hall, Bankfield Museum and in Calderdale as a whole. To keep the ‘Gentleman Jack effect’ and Anne Lister’s legacy alive, we’re thinking of new, exciting ways to showcase our local heritage and to help more people experience our distinctive ‘CultureDale’.

“It was great to have cameras rolling again at Shibden Hall – this time capturing the amazing story of Helena Whitbread, who has lived and worked in Calderdale all her life and has played such a valuable role in Anne’s story.

“We’re excited to host a live interview with Helena at Bankfield Museum next year, and for those who are unable to go along, our exclusive new film will showcase the talents of the extraordinary Helena and Anne.”

• Shibden Hall was first recorded in 1420 and has been home to many residents and staff, including the Lister family who owned the Hall and Estate for 300 years. Anne Lister (1791-1840) lived at the Hall with her Aunt and Uncle from 1815 and had part ownership from 1826 and full ownership from 1836 until her death in 1840. Shibden Hall is managed by Calderdale Museums Service, part of Calderdale Council, which also manages Bankfield Museum and Smith Art Gallery.
• More information: There is more information about the Hall and the original Anne Lister film on the Museums Service’s website: www.calderdale.gov.uk/museums. The website also features a 3D tour of Shibden, a list of resources about Anne and a range of online exhibitions, including Anne’sbirthday diary entries.
  Events: Event and booking details can be found on the Museums website: www.calderdale.gov.uk/museums

NorthernLife Jan/Feb 2023