The Brontes, Richmond Theatre, Polly Teale, dir, Design Ruth Sutcliffe
Vintage. As you would expect this revival shows all the shared experience theatrical hallmarks: expressionistic style, presentational text and vivid internal and external characterisation. Polly Teale’s text interweaves the real lives and disappointments of the Bronte siblings, counterpointed with fictional episodes from Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Their authorial success is brief as each is consumed by the very landscape and conditions that is the rich source for their stories. The production as a whole rises to this brutal, yet tragic story, in its stark gothic backdrop, designed by Ruth Sutcliffe and pacey direction by Nancy Meckler. Yet too many blackout changes, particularly in the second half, cut into the rise and fall of the action, which at times comes up short. But it is great to see this company in action, particularly in the light of its recent fortunes at the hands of the arts council, go and see them……
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