Wuthering Heights NOT by Charlotte Brontë

First of all we would like to make clear (don't avert your eyes, you people at the Writer's Digest!) that Wuthering Heights is a novel by Emily Brontë, not by Charlotte Brontë. The fact that they were sisters doesn't mean they're interchangeable, you know. Please, do correct that painful "In Charlotte Brontë's Wuthering Heights...".

Secondly, and getting basic facts right, Tonight reviews the theatrical version of Wuthering Heights currently on stage in South Africa:

This Fish Hoek Dramatic Society presentation features one of the finest literary works in the English language, which has been adapted for the stage by Charles Vance with great effect.
Alastair Duff's imaginative and beautifully executed set, combined with Cecil Jakins' strikingly appropriate costumes, provide a splendid background for the players in this dramatic tale.
Unfortunately, the uniformly strong performances of a well-assorted cast are marred by a lack of discipline and discernment in direction.
The play opens at such a pitch that the characterisations have insufficient space to grow, and while the ambience of Wuthering Heights is rightly gothic, too dim lighting, combined with too much emotion, impede vocal delivery and add an unwanted touch of melodrama to dialogue and action.
Inconsistent continuity between the scenes produces intermittent applause which disrupts the flow and prevents real involvement with the tragic course of events.
Julie Summers gives us a Cathy Earnshaw of haunting proportions, matched by the dark and almost dysfunctional Heathcliff of Wesley Figaji, and contrasted by the mannered gentility of Conrad Lihou's Edgar Linton.
Deon Joubert's shaded interpretation makes Hindley as hateful as he is pitiful, and John McConnell's Joseph is a primitive if inarticulate blend of venom and sanctimonious servility. From a tentative start, Aubrey Hindle's Mr Lockwood acquires confidence and presence and Tom Kingwell shows real understanding of situation and environment in the role of Hareton Earnshaw.
The golden fragility of Cat Simmons and Felicity Purdon as Catherine and Isabelle Linton infuse softness and a little light into the bleakness.
Last but by no means least, the sanity and steady strength of Fiona Carling's warm and gentle Ellen Dean weaves a glowing thread through the gloomy tapestry.
Even if you have not read the book, this production of Emily Brontë's masterpiece will leave you with many magic memories.

Oh, but do read the book!

Thirdly some go as far as to consider the MTV version of Wuthering Heights as a 'classic' no less:

Teen Central offers the classics, too, including the MTV Films edition of Emily Brontë's "Wuthering Heights."

We'll just say that this version is no everyone's cup of tea. Okay: hardly anyone's cup of tea. Better still: throw it away, get them the book!

And finally some freely state that Christianity and Wuthering Heights are 'lovers' nowadays.

But Christianity and “Wuthering Heights” are no longer oil and water, vampire and crucifix. They are, well, lovers.

Bad choice of words? If you pay attention you will hear all those first 1847 reviewers tossing and turning in their graves. But you see, the point is to show that all religious outrage is relative and soon softens, which is true in a way.

Categories: Wuthering_Heights, Theatre, In_the_News