Three talented sisters – Three captivating heroines – Three new adaptations… Whether you’re a hard-core Brontë fan or if you’ve never had the pleasure, these fresh new adaptations by West Country theatre companies Butterfly Psyche Theatre & Livewire Theatre will invigorate, inspire and melt hearts around the South West this autumn.
Performed in Rep, with only one and two actors, there’s a chance to mix-and-match an old favourite along with a new acquaintance, as well as the chance to see all three in omnibus performances at most venues.
The Brontë Season is made up of:
Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Brontë
Adapted by: Dougie Blaxland
Directed by: Jazz Hazelwood
Starring: Alison Campbell
Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, the Gothic story of a penniless young governess, met with immediate success when first published. The eponymous Jane takes up service in creepy Thornfield Hall and soon finds herself at the centre of a haunted cover-up-conspiracy with the dashing-yet-devilish, Mr Rochester. Will they live happily ever after? Will their worlds come crashing down around them? It’s a Brontë, so be prepared for both…
This adaptation originally toured with Livewire Theatre in autumn 2013 and received 5-Star reviews across the board.
Dates: 18-Sept, 20-Sept, 25-Sept, 27-Sept
Wuthering Heights
by Emily Brontë
Adapted by: Dougie Blaxland
Directed by: Jazz Hazelwood
Starring: Alison Campbell and Jeremy Fowlds
Emily Brontë’s emotionally gripping Wuthering Heights is, without a doubt, one of the most tragic and infamous love stories ever told. As the most introverted and reclusive of the sisters, Emily’s personality remains a mystery. But as they say, ‘still waters run deep’ and even if you’ve never read a word of the Brontës in your life, you will have at least heard of Heathcliff and Cathy and their passionate-yet-destructive love that transcended even death. This production will leave you covered in goosebumps and reaching for the nearest copy.
Dates: 17-Sept, 20-Sept, 24-Sept, 27-Sept
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
by Anne Brontë
Adapted by: Alison Farina
Directed by: Shane Morgan
Starring: Madelaine Ryan and Tom Turner
Anne Brontë, the least well-known (and vastly under-appreciated) of the sisters wrote the most shocking of all the Bronte novels put together, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Telling the story of Helen Graham, a reclusive artist who has mysteriously taken up residence at the dilapidated Wildfell Hall, Anne’s multi-layered masterpiece aims to show both the brutality and consequences of life choices along with hope and happiness through redemption, forgiveness and truth. When The Tenant was first published it sold out within 6 weeks (vastly outselling Wuthering Heights and selling even better in the US than the UK, something that cannot be said of the other two sisters) and is widely considered to be the first ‘sustained’ feminist novels. However, Charlotte Brontë, for reasons best known to herself, succeeded in widely denouncing the book and suppressing a reprint after Anne’s death. Was she doing it to “protect” her “sister’s reputation”, or her own?
Dates: 19-Sept, 20-Sept, 26-Sept, 27-Sept
For further information on the project or outreach for schools, community organisations or libraries, please contact the team on:
butterflypsyche@outlook.com
@butterflypsyche on Twitter
07836 630 829
Butterfly Psyche Theatre is a Bath-based professional touring company specialising in collaborative working, outreach and new writing.
Livewire Theatre is a Bath-based professional touring company specialising in creating exciting educational projects featuring some of Britain’s best love writers, schools workshops/performances and new writing.