The Official Gilded Age Podcast S1 Ep.8: “Tucked Up in Newport” with Denée Benton and Bob Shaw
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Mar 15, 2022 Denée Benton, shaping Peggy's storyline, joins the hosts to discuss her character's development. Bob Shaw, the production designer, talks about the creative decisions made for the show. They explore the lavish mansions and activities of the Gilded Age in Newport, Rhode Island. Topics also include the tragic Pestigo fire, dinner parties, controversial socialites, and the dynamics of servants' living conditions. The chapter on recreating an erased world and the transformative experience of working with other actors is also discussed.
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The Dixon Revelation
- George Russell's stenographer, Miss Ainsley, is revealed to be Mr. Dixon's wife.
- She admits to falsifying the letter that blamed George for the train derailment.
Newport's Rise as a Resort
- Newport, Rhode Island, became a luxurious summer destination in the mid-19th century.
- Land speculators Alfred Smith and Joseph Bailey developed Bellevue Avenue, where wealthy families built their summer homes.
The Myth of the 400
- Ward McAllister's "400" wasn't a literal list but a social standard.
- It emphasized that true social acceptance took three generations of wealth, prioritizing those comfortable in ballrooms.