Review: WUTHERING HEIGHTS, Royal & Derngate - Tour
Photo credit: Alex Brenner
Emily Bronte’s 1847 novel, Wuthering Heights, isn’t well known for its hilarity, with its themes of domestic abuse and religious and societal values. At least it wasn’t until now… Inspector Sands’ fresh take on the literary classic is sure to make it more appealing to audiences young and old.
Set amongst the Yorkshire Moors, and spanning 30 years, the story is told primarily by Nelly (servant to the household) and tells of two families, the Earnshaws and the Lintons. The Earnshaws are living at Wuthering Heights when a young orphan boy is brought home, their father treating the boy as his own whilst neglecting his natural children, Catherine and Hindley.
Heathcliff and Catherine become close and here begins a relationship that will cause not only feuds, but births, deaths, and madness.
Ike Bennett takes on the infamous role of Heathcliff. He is intriguing as he moves from shy child to arrogant young man to heartbroken youth to the fully fledged vengeful driven adult who ultimately loses everything. We genuinely do not know whether to feel sorry for him or to hate him, superbly playing the card of misunderstood man.
Giulia Innocenti as Nelly, our narrator, is truly fascinating. She has the audience engrossed from start to finish, gripped, and compelled to hear everything about the two families and their demise.
Directed by Lucinka Eisler, the story is moved along at a steady rate, integrating modern day dress with 1700 styles (costume design by Johanna Martensson) and 90’s pop lyrics with love poems and some serious ‘dad dancing’ styled moves - you just don’t know what to expect next.
High praise must go to Ben Lewis for this genius adaptation. We were expecting a hauntingly, depressing story and got the complete opposite. We left the theatre entertained, enriched, and still laughing from priceless moments of the performance (Leander Deeny as the young Linton had us snorting and crying with laughter simultaneously).
A hugely talented cast, a mind-blowing adaptation, and a fantastic night of theatre!
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin
Wuthering Heights plays at the Royal and Derngate, Northampton until 6 May before touring. For more information, please click here.