Disruptors and Transfixers

A new documentary about the Brontës is in the making. Hosted by Anita Rani, The Brontës: Sisters of Disruption will be aired next year on Sky Arts. We read on Prolific North or TVZone UK:

Wise Owl is making a new Sky Arts documentary about the Brontë sisters, fronted by Anita Rani.

Anita Rani – The Brontes: Sisters of Disruption (w/t) will examine the impact that Anne, Charlotte and Emily continue to have on millions of readers.

The partly autobiographical film will trace Rani’s relationship with the sisters as she returns home to Bradford to remember the first time she read Jayne (sic) Eyre and Wuthering Heights at school. 

She’ll also reveal the sense of identification she felt with the sisters, growing up in Bradford in the 1980s and 90s, with the landscape of Haworth and the moors (which Rani calls her “happy place”) on her doorstep.

“These strong, unearthly sisters fed into my psyche and made me think anything was possible. I related to the darkness and tragedy in the Brontës’ lives…they had as much impact on me as Neneh Cherry, The Smiths and Goldie,” she explained.

“In this film I’m going to explore how these women – so full of rage – changed my life, and the world. Growing up, romance wasn’t on the cards. Bollywood felt distant. But Heathcliff…well, he could have been Indian – dark hair, dark features…why would he not be?” 

The 1 x 60 minute documentary is produced by Dhivya Kate Chetty and will explore how the work of these ‘literary disruptors’ still feels relevant in 2024 – and how their influence can still be seen today in some of our most popular films and TV series. 

“The legacy of the astounding work of Anne, Charlotte and Emily Brontë continues to reverberate around the world – they were challenging the patriarchy two hundred years ago,” explained Executive Producer Mark Robinson, who heads up the Leeds-based Lime Pictures label. (Stephen Chapman)

AussieTheatre announces the Australian premiere of the Wise Children's Wuthering Heights production next January 2025:

Emma Rice:

"How exciting to be bringing our beloved Wuthering Heights to Sydney! Following in the footsteps of my productions of Tristan & Yseult, The Red Shoes and Brief Encounter, I hope Wuthering Heights will capture the heart of Sydney, just as Sydney has captured mine. Prepare for all the drama, humour and hope that you could wish for – I can’t wait to be down under again".

This very limited Australian season will mark the commencement of a South East Asian Tour for the production which will see the British company including many of the original London cast members returning to their roles. 

The former UK Green Party leader, Caroline Lucas chooses her favourite books for The Week:

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

I reread this constantly as a teenager, totally transfixed by such a compelling love story, with its appealing message that wit, warmth and courage can be more attractive than beauty.

The Guardian interviews the writer Francesca Segal who has a peculiar relationship with Wuthering Heights: 

The book that changed me as a teenager

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë did peculiar things to my romantic expectations as a young teenager, from which – it took some time to recover.

Bristol Live devotes an article to Robert Southey (Bristol-born) and mentions the infamous letter to Charlotte Brontë:

He remained busy all his life, writing articles, books and poetry. While he might not be considered in the front rank of the Romantic Movement, historians are very grateful to him for the immense number of letters he wrote. Among the surviving ones are some to Charlotte Brontë – she sought advice on becoming a writer, he told her to be sure she didn’t neglect her household duties as a woman.

The Lilly Library at Indiana University is hosting "Love in the Library" from August 22, 2024 to February 15, 2025, an exhibition featuring rare romance books, including classics like Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, showcasing the genre's importance and diversity alongside historically significant texts like the Gutenberg Bible. Indiana Public Media reports:

Classics, such as Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice and Rebecca are on display. 20th-Centruy Harlequin romances are honored. The Lilly Library added modern novels to the collection, including popular novels Fifty Shades of Grey and Heartstopper. (Aubrey Wright)

Zee News (India) lists 7 classics you should have read by now and 7 romances:

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

A powerful tale of resilience, orphaned and mistreated, Jane Eyre grows into a strong-willed and independent woman. She finds love with the brooding Mr. Rochester, but their relationship is tested by dark secrets.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë:

A dark and passionate story of Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw's all-consuming love and the devastating consequences of everyone around them.