Wuthering Heights

            Lockwood (Alan Kennedy) struggles through stormy weather in order to get to his new home of Thrushcross Grange, however he only reaches Wuthering Heights, the farm where Heathcliff (Travis Vladich) lives. His welcome is far from hospitable.
Next morning, on reaching his new home, Lockwood is greeted by Nelly (Susan Lynch), his new servant. Nelly then goes on to relate the story of the families in the area. She tells how Heathcliff, as a child, was a waif and brought up by the Earnshaws, and how spoilt and moody Catherine (Janine Bramall) was like a sister to him. He never expressed his feelings for her, and so she married the trite Edgar Linton (David Bruce).
In a rage, Heathcliff ran out into the night not to be seen again for several years. He returned as a rich man. Filled with revenge for his treatment by his wards as a ‘gypsy’ child, he set out to take over as much as he could, from those who had abused him as a child and destroy what could not be his. Catherine could never be his, so Heathcliff married Edgar’s sister, poor infatuated Isabella (Michelle Berg) to capture the family fortune.
Will Heathcliff eventually regain his happiness and win over Cathy?

How to kill a masterpiece in a couple of paragraphs!

Young Cathy was played by Danielle Gilsenan, Joseph the servant by Tom Rees, Hareton by Adam Dear and Hindley by Jason Dohle.

Tackling a text such as ‘Wuthering Heights’ demands FULL attention for detail, a demanding director and a talented cast – or disaster will ensue.

On seeing the artists’ credit board in the foyer, one knew that the show was going to be of a high standard. The board was laid out like as a family tree, of sepia toned photos, of the various families. The opening scene is a slide of a Yorkshire farm projected onto a white proscenium curtain. The curtains opened to reveal an outstanding ‘split’ set, to the left was the rustic Tudor beamed kitchen of Wuthering Heights farm and on the right, the opulence of Thrushcross Grange – and opulent it was, with silk wallpaper and genuine antiques!
The lighting in the farmhouse was soft, enforcing the oil lamp image, and lit from the height at which the lamps would be situated. In contrast, the Grange was filled with bright light from the chandelier. Best community theatre lighting in years.
As the old dear in the front of the audience confirmed in a loud whisper, ‘aren’t their gowns beautiful?’ All of the costumes were superb, correct for the period, and sumptuous.
The acting? Brilliant. Nicola Bond the director had the servants and lower class speaking with very acceptable and clear Yorkshire accents, whilst allowing the uppercrust to be unhindered in their character development by speaking neutral English. The two leads were amazing, Cathy was a spoilt bitch, with Heathcliff a manipulating mercenary - all of the emotions were there. This show was not only successful in every aspect, but also exceptional.