“Out on the winding windy moors we’d roll and fall in green”
Ah, sat on the grass, the rustling of the leafs in the trees above on the breeze of a summer’s night. What could be a better setting for an outdoor production of Wuthering Heights? Well, to be honest, somewhere without a breeze and rustling leafs for the first half of the Chapterhouse Theatre Production at Nottingham Castle.
Moments after the hypothetical curtain lifted “Are you pretending you can’t hear me?” shouts one of the characters to another, to mild guffaws from the less hard of hearing in the audience. I say one of the characters, because thanks to the aforementioned leafs and breeze we couldn’t actually hear who it was to know, and so unless you were familiar with the classic story by Emily Bronte you were relegated to listening to the sounds of revellers at nearby Fothergills and the chimes of the Council House Clock counting down the first half, whilst watching random people in the distance dressed as Victorians.
Being awfully British nobody seemed to think to go and mention it to any of the cast (who it seemed, did everything from the sound to assembling and dismantling the set), it was only at the interval when we queued for a nice cup of tea and the toilet that the cast, who were also waiting for a nice cup of tea and the toilet, were ambushed with the information, so they to do the magical deed of cranking up the sound knob….and the second half really fared much better.
It became apparent that Chapterhouse Theatre, under the direction of Rebecca Gaudsby and adaptation by writer Laura Turner, had produced a very commendable interpretation of the Gothic romance tale, staying rather faithful to such a wonderfully enticing story full of passion, rage, anger and love along with a few contemporary flourishes that compliment the melodrama.
Our story of Wuthering Heights takes place across two time frames, with two story lines running parallel. In the present, where our story begins, young Cathy is preparing for her marriage to her cousin Linton. But determined to understand what happened to her mother (also Cathy) who died many years ago, Cathy forces her uncle and nurse Nelly to tell of what unfolded when Mr Earnshaw adopted a young, sullen gypsy boy he named Heathcliff, an act which set off a chain of events that had ramifications for the next generation.
The young actors in this two-hour-plus production have learnt a huge script, keeping close to the complex original text, a daunting task in itself. The result is competent, but understated, keeping all the human emotion of the novel whilst loosing nothing of the characters journey.
A standout performance comes from Emily Rose-Hurdiss, excellent in the starring role as the free-spirited Cathy. Before reviewing I’d watched the recent Tom Hardy version of Wuthering Heights, which worked both ways. Had I not, I probably wouldn’t have had a clue what was going on in the first half due to the sound issues, it was a long time since I’d read the novel, however, living up to a major production is no easy task. Aaron Charles gives an admirable performance as Cathy’s inseparable friend and later lover Heathcliff, but is not dark and villainous enough. One ripped shirt does not a Tom Hardy make.
I have never quite got my head round how after staying with the neighbours for 6 weeks, Cathy comes back a changed woman prepared to marry someone else. I guess the modern-day equivalent would be going on a reality TV show such as Ladette to Lady or coming out of the Big Brother house, either way, it’s a change Cathy ultimately regrets and is punished both emotionally and spiritually, descending into madness.
The set is minimal, it works, but you can’t help but think it would have been far more dramatic to set it where they have the fireworks in the grounds, instead therefore utilising the castle in the background as Wuthering Heights, and why put a paper mache tree in front of a real one?? There was still a sound issue in the second half, ironically every time they acted near Cathy’s window, which itself didn’t seem to be used nearly enough, or maybe I’m just dwelling on Kate Bush’s adaptation.
Wuthering Heights has inspired many such adaptations since it was first published in 1847 living on in film, radio, ballet, operas and even a role-play game as well as the aforementioned TV adaptation and 1978 song. Considered one of the best of the Bronte sisters’ work it is a dark and slow-burning play, fabulous but considered controversial in its day due to its stark depiction of mental and physical cruelty, sitting on the knife-edge of love, loss, betrayal, jealousy and revenge, or as my Mum put it “Bit morbid innit!”
Throughout the summer there are further performances across Nottingham including
Chapterhouse Theatre Company present Peter Pan
August 26th – Peter Pan – Nottingham Castle
Peter Pan is set to be a family affair as would be expected with an adaptation of the children’s favourite.
Presented by special arrangement with Samuel French and in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, J.M.Barrie’s timeless classic is brought to life in a brand new adaptation by award-winning writer Laura Turner, with original music and songs, and beautifully designed costumes.
It is touring the country but will be with us at Nottingham castle on Friday 26 August with gates opening at 5pm for a 6pm start. For more information visit
https://www.facebook.com/events/212777825760672/
Or you can purchase tickets from £10 at
http://tickets.trch.co.uk/single/PSDetail.aspx?psn=125822
August 31st Ratburger – Wollaton Park
Tickets
For more information on any of the shows click here.
Remember to bring your own blanket and/or chairs as seating is not provided. You can also bring your own picnic. Bar and refreshments are available on site.
Words and on site photography by Tanya Raybould
Editor
@tanyalouiseray
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