Bronte

This was Blackburn Drama Clubs first production of 2013, and what subject matter!  This play takes a view on the lives of the Bronte sisters.  Of course, what took place behind the doors of Haworth Parsonage will always be elusive to us, but writer Polly Teale makes some very well observed and researched dramatisation based on known facts, known personality traits and her balanced imagination.  In doing so she has created a piece which is superb in every aspect, and for me a revelation into the closed lives of three sisters who created some of the most imaginative and evocative fiction in history.

The whole play is set within the parsonage and aside from the sisters, looks at the other family members, brother Branwell and father Patrick and moves around in time between the present, a day in July 1845, the past and the future.  Director Clive Stack had done a superb job with what was clearly a complex storyline to deliver to the audience a real sense of events and emotions from that time.  The set looked good, costumes were perfect for the period and lighting was appropriate and right on cue.

The cast for this production were all excellent in their portrayal of the characters, and as a whole delivered a mesmerising and well measured performance of what was clearly a complex and demanding script.  Stephanie Shaw & Emilie Burrill took the parts of the book characters Cathy and Mrs Rochester and were both superb in their interpretations.  The part of the curate Arthur Bell Nicholls was played extremely well by Mark Duxbury and Rob Tretheway was very believable in the role of father Patrick, with a very plausible Northern Irish lilt and very commanding stage presence.  Paddy Walsh played the part of Branwell and was superb in every aspect, great diction and perfect line delivery coupled with an impressive interpretation of the character.

Charlotte was brought to life by Anita Shaw, as the oldest sister Charlotte was clearly a very deep and complex individual and Anita managed to capture these aspects of her personality perfectly. The part of Emily was played to perfection by Claire St Pierre, completely bringing this character to life.  Jan Barker played the youngest Bronte sister Anne and again was superb in her interpretation of the character.  The whole in this case was greater than the sum of the parts however, as together these three actors completely commanded the stage making for a play which was hard not to be completely absorbed by.

I thoroughly enjoyed this production and left the Thwaites with a much greater understanding of the historical significance of these characters, entertainment and education all in one night, fantastic.  Well done to all involved in this production, you can be very proud of what was accomplished.

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