Madness, Lust, Wuthering and Jane

Several new and on going theatre and dance productions inspired by the Brontës opus:

1. In Columbus, OH:

Madness and Lust
October 17 - November 14
Select Wednesdays & Thursdays @ 7:30p
NO SHOWS October 23
Shadowbox Live / St2 (Stage 2)

Directed by Stev Guyer
Choreographed by Katy Psenicka
Scenes written by Jimmy Mak
Catherine ... Amy Lay
Heathcliff ... J.T. Walker III

Delve into the dark side of human desire with Shadowbox Live's Madness and Lust, a dance theater production based on Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights. See the epic tale of Heathcliff and Catherine, and how love and rejection can lead to despair and revenge that destroys all it touches.

The Columbus Dispatch publishes a review:

As the title suggests, the production — an interpretation of the classic Emily Brontë novel — proves to be an intense, sexy, no-holds-barred immersion in the story of a destructive romance.
The show, directed by Stev Guyer and choreographed by Katy Psenicka, takes an innovative approach to the material. Most of the story is told through dance, backed by a band and a rotating series of singers performing rock songs off to the side of the stage.
The dance numbers are tied into a narrative linked by brief, serviceable scenes written by Jimmy Mak and by slides orienting the audience to time and place — useful in a story that spans decades. (Margaret Quamme)

2.  In Warwickshire, UK:

Wuthering Heights
by Emily Brontë
23 October – 2 November
Adapted by Lucy Gough
Directed by David Hankins

Set on the wild, windswept Yorkshire moors, this exhilarating and vibrant new adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel brings to life the all-encompassing love between taciturn, brooding Heathcliff and free-spirited Catherine. Inseparable as children, their affection deepens into passionate love as they grow up, but Cathy lets her head rule her heart as she chooses to marry wealthy Edgar Linton. Heathcliff flees broken-hearted, only to return seeking terrible vengeance on those he holds responsible, with epic and tragic results.
Long before Twilight stirred the emotions of a generation, Wuthering Heights embodied the eternal pull between good and evil, dark and light, and heaven and hell.

The Leamington Observer gives voice to the director David Hankins:

Director David Hankins said: "Long before the Twilight saga stirred the emotions of a new generation Wuthering Heights embodied the eternal pull between good and evil, dark and light, and heaven and hell. It is a story of love, obsession, vengeance and tragedy on an epic scale." (IH)

3.  In Redhill, Surrey:

The Opera Club of Reigate and Redhill presents
Jane Eyre - The Musical
by arrangement with Joseph Weinberger
The Harlequin Theatre

This exciting production of the delightful musical, based on the much-loved novel by Charlotte Brontë, tells the story of Jane Eyre. With Tony-nominated music and lyrics by Paul Gordon, and a book by John Caird (Children of Eden), you are guaranteed a show of pure escapism.
An orphan who escapes ill-treatment to become a teacher, Jane Eyre secures a job at Thornfield Hall as tutor to the ward of Edward Rochester. Jane and Edward fall in love, only to have their wedding day interrupted by the revelation of a terrible secret. They part, and a fire brings tragedy to Thornfield Hall. Will romance win the day? Come along and see!
Thursday 24 – Saturday 26 October at 7.30pm (plus Sat matinee at 2.30pm).