Mark Ryan's Wuthering Heights Musical

Wuthering Heights never ceases to inspire music composers and song writers. Do you remember this? Here's the official press release, as seen on 24-7 Press Release:

Mark Ryan (Transformers, The Prestige, Evita, Robin Of Sherwood) announces the launch of Wuthering Heights Music, a musical adaptation based on the novel by Emily Bronte. Beginning today, visitors to http://www.wutheringheightsmusic.com/ can listen to Ryan's four original songs inspired by the gothic love story: Dark Passion, Women, Heathcliff's Prayer and I love The Wind. The website also features a music video for the song Women, narrated by Ray Winstone (Beowulf, The Departed, Indiana Jones, Sexy Beast). Currently, music downloads for Dark Passion and Women are available free and a four-song EP will soon be available for purchase for $1.99.

Growing up amongst the hauntingly romantic landscapes of Yorkshire, Ryan developed an emotional connection to the story of Wuthering Heights. In 1988 he wrote eighteen original songs inspired by Emily Bronte's novel, but was forced to put the project on hold due to his burgeoning film and television career. Years passed and with the success of Transformers (voice of Bumblebee), he decided it was finally the right time to record the music. Twenty years later Ryan comments, "This has been a labor of love and I am so proud to finally launch it. I believe we've created a musical that is as powerful and heartfelt as Bronte's tragic love story and I hope it entertains fans and music lovers alike."

Ryan is proud of the team he has assembled to make his passion project a reality. Credits include Robb Vallier (Spamalot, Gin Blossoms, Peter Murphy), who produced the four songs with Ryan. The vocal ensemble includes Jenn Korbee (Cathy), Jessica Kennan Wynn (Nelly) and Katie Boeck (Isabella), who all appear in the video for Women.

Mark Ryan has had a successful career in theater, film and television for over 30 years, including Evita in London's West End originating the role of Magaldi and most recently voicing Bumblebee in the blockbuster film Transformers. http://www.markryanactor.com/.

From the musical's website:

I get emotional trying to express the cultural connection to the primal threads that run viscerally within Emily Bronte's work. I grew up in Doncaster in Yorkshire, as a boy playing "Robin Hood" in the remains of Sherwood Forest and chasing around Scarborough Castle on family summer holidays, being a Knight In Armor! Mix this to the pensive and fertile soil of this young Northern lad's imagination, school trips to The Bronte Parsonage in Haworth and the awe-inspiring ruins of Fountain's Abbey, and you might understand my lifelong love affair with the ancient, gritty and hauntingly romantic landscapes of Yorkshire.

One wet Sunday afternoon in the early 70's, my mother told me I had to go with Sandra (my sister) to see a film as she was studying for her English Literature A level exam. Usually going to "the pictures" was a real treat but not only was this film not a war film or a James Bond movie but "English Literature." And even worse, it was written by a girl!

I was mesmerized by the film from the opening titles and the simple ethereal soundtrack. This was the Tim Dalton, Anna Calder-Marshall version of Emily Bronte's unique masterpiece. My sister left after the first showing and I (as you could in a movie theater in those days) managed to sneak back in and sat through a second showing. I went back to see the movie several times that week before it quietly moved on to another, weathered and stoical northern town.

The film prompted me to read the book several times over. But I shall never forget the first time I got to the end and read those haunting words: "Unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth." Emily Bronte's stark and simple truth touched me deeply and it still does to this day. (Read more)

Categories: In the News, Music, Wuthering Heights