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Overview

Synopsis

Polly Teale’s literary re-imagining of the turbulent lives of the Bronte sisters portrays the women from childhood to death, weaving back and forth in time. In 1845, their brother, Branwell Bronte, returned home to Haworth, West Yorkshire, in disgrace, having been dismissed from his employment following an affair with the mistress of the house. As their brother descends into alcoholism and insanity, his sisters, Anne, Charlotte and Emily, attempt to keep the household together and protect their father, Patrick. In the midst of chaos, they write more furiously than ever before. Focusing on their creation of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Jane Eyre, and Wuthering Heights respectively, their journeys and engagement with their characters offers a glimpse into the states of mind of the sisters during this time. Each feels tortured and ill-at-ease in their own way, as they struggle to align their literary creations with real life. With a certain amount of mystery surrounding the artistic legacy of the Bronte sisters, Polly Teale’s interpretation of their fractious relationship and tortured ambition presents a fascinating glimpse into the lives of three of Yorkshire’s most famous authors.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2005
Genres
Drama, Historical/Biographical
Settings
Period, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
Yorkshire, England, 1845
Cast Size
medium
Licensor
Nick Hern Book
Ideal For
College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Charlotte Bronte

Lead

Female

Spoken

Emily Bronte

Lead

Female

Spoken

Anne Bronte

Lead

Female

Spoken

Branwell Bronte

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Patrick Bronte

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Cathy

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Mr. Heger

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Arthur Bell Nicholls

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Bertha

Featured

Female

Spoken

Rochester

Featured

Male

Spoken

Heathcliff

Featured

Male

Spoken

Arthur Huntington

Featured

Male

Spoken

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher