Bronte at the Oxford Playhouse

I am always on the lookout for a new play. This one was written by Polly Teale in 2005. She is now the joint artistic director of the production company Shared Experience. The other one is Nancy Meckler who directs "Bronte". She has a long history of directing in the theatre including spells at the RSC.

The concept of "Bronte" is very interesting. How to tell the story of the three sisters (and one brother) who lived together in isolation on the Yorkshire Moors who against all expectation produced some of the greatest literature in history. They inspired each other with a collective energy, through their appreciation of books and their anger at the conditions of the world outside.

The relatively short scenes are punctuated by visitations of characters from their growing imaginations. Mrs Rochester haunts Charlotte as does Cathy with Emily. The first half seemed a little pondorous, but the second became a wonderful piece of theatre. Charlotte becomes a celebrity after the publication of "Jane Eyre". The more reclusive Emily realises that her more dangerous "Wuthering Heights" might not be to everyone's taste in the nineteenth century.

The only disappointment for me was the acting. It may have been that Shared Experience is now the resident comapny at the Oxford Playhouse, and therefore this production is in it's early stages. And on a Monday, the theatre was not full. The production company also wants to give opportunities to up and coming actors. It was just that the one experienced actor, Stephen Finegold who plays the children's clerical father, does shine in comparison. However, a memorable and well produced play. The next production from Shared Experience is the premiere of a new play about the life of Mary Shelley and how she came to write "Frankenstein". I shall definitely book for that.

One other thing. The programme was brilliant. An interview with the writer, a long article about the Brontes ( the father had changed their surname from Brunty to Bronte in homage to Nelson who was created the Duke of Bronte after his victory in Sicily, explaining how the children gave their characters such evocative names), and a synopsis of the Bronte novels. And that was just the first half. Essential and worthwhile reading before the play started.