Bourgeoise Reviews And Banter

A broodingly brilliant play about the talented Bronte sisters who’s lives were cut short. There were five sisters initially, two of whom, died of malnutrition at boarding school. The other three managed to write some of the greatest literature of the times in which they lived. Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and Tenant Of Windfell Hall, are just three of the eight books they managed to publish. Each published under male pseudonyms as women were not considered legitimate writers in a world where their place was in the home and not outside it. They and their brother Branwell, lived in Yorkshire with their preacher father in a modest house, Haworth. Fueling their imaginations with characters and storylines, plotting their way into realms beyond the drudgeries of everyday life, they left a legacy , which to this very day, inspires writers and students alike.

The play written by Polly Teale is a testament to the lives lived within the walls of Haworth parsonage, the lonely isolated house, in which the Brontes lived. The characters of Charlotte, Anne, and Emily Bronte are brought to life, shedding their fears for themselves, and for each other, along with their joys and aspirations for the future. Their brother, Branwell, can come and go as he pleases but the three sisters are, for the most part stuck on the moors. As we are are transported into their consecutive writing worlds, the characters they create, are unleashed. We recognise the austere Curate as Charlotte Bronte’s Rochester from Jane Eyre, and Mrs Linton’s mournful wandering ghost, as Cathy from Wuthering Heights, by Charlotte’s her sister ,Emily. Throughout the play the characters are intent on storytelling and on goading each other to create more and more content.

The production of Bronte at The Genesian, directed by Barry Nielson, is a very compact, well paced and evocative offering. While the set was simple and reflected the bare essentials of the Bronte home, the lighting and sound, could have added more to the mood. There are many freezes which are almost like viewing a painting in an art gallery, juxtaposed with scenes of great energy and dexterity, especially in scenes with Branwell played by Theo Rule . Emily’s frantic writing pace and dark mood play off the relative calm of Charlotte’s, ( Aneeka Brownsberger ), temperance. Anne ( Rebecca Harris ) is more of a soft breeze floating through. The actors are all well chosen for their roles, though there is a tendency from Emilia Stubbs Grigoriou, to overplay Emilly’s melancholic tendencies. Theo Hatzistergos , in all the characters he plays, particularly as Nicholls, Charlottes husband, is outstanding. Georgia Jarrett as Cathy, has just the right amount of light and shade in her performance along with a lovely ethereal quality. Gregory George as their preacher father is also convincing.

By Renee Lou Dallow

Bronte is on at The Genesian Theatre Kent Street Sydney from the 1st to 22nd of July

Fridays and Saturdays 7.30 and Sundays 4.30.