THEATRE REVIEWS

This is Emily Brontë shown to perfection by this young, exuberant body of actors as they tell their story of life amid the moors of Yorkshire. The fog rolls in and the story unfolds of a woman who wants what she will never achieve because of those around her. The details of the plot are to be savoured by those who make this worthwhile effort to see Wuthering Heights at the Theatre Royal York.

The first thing you notice is the simplicity of the set and how well it works to give the atmosphere and the feeling of the moors and mills, that transpose into the house amid the fog. A fine piece of set design by Lorna Richie assisted by Ciaran Bagnall who created the atmospheric lighting.

Jessica Harris gives us a fine Catherine whose kindred spirit was Heathcliff played by Joel Fry. Marshall Lancaster gives us an assortment of interchangeable parts, starting with Edgar Linton. Kate Ambler does the same, starting with Isabella Linton, leaving Nick Figgis to give us Hindley and Hareton. Each actor has their moment of triumph, some more than others, but the end result gives a great piece of theatre in the traditional style and you can hear every word said on the stage.

Sue Dunderdale directs Jane Thornton’s play to perfection, bringing out what was written by Emily Brontë with the help of music composed by Richard Taylor that allows Brontë's poems to be sung. All contribute to making the evening a great success as the audience show with their appreciation at the end. BA ©

“Wuthering Heights” is at York Theatre Royal from the 2nd June to the 23rd June, 2007. This is a No Smoking theatre. Council car parking charge £2 visitor and £1 resident from 6pm until Midnight.

Is there an Air Conditioning certificate prominently displayed in your theatre foyer stating the date of manufacture of the appliance and when the system was last inspected and serviced - if not, complain to the theatre management.