Wuthering Heights- Tamworth Assembly Rooms

Adapted by Laura Turner and produced by Chapterhouse Theatre Company, the only novel published by Emily Bronte was brought to the stage as part of an international tour; Wuthering Heights is a classic piece of Victorian Gothic literature of love, obsession, and revenge set on the wild Yorkshire moors. When orphaned Heathcliff (Matt Christmas) is taken in by the Earnshaw family, he becomes madly infatuated with their free-spirited daughter Catherine (Sasha Snowdon). But love on the moors is never quite as straightforward as it seems and with a trails of devastation being left in their wake, will their love survives or will external forces pull them apart for good or worse?

With such strong source material, expectations were high of this production. The set was absolutely stunning and really reflective of the period in which the story was set, from high quality wooden furniture to a gorgeous farmhouse fireplace, which helped to bring Bronte's novel to life. Every inch of the stage was utilized to create the moors, Wuthering Heights farm and the Lintons' mansion whilst never becoming too visually overwhelming or cramped.

Aside from Catherine and Heathcliff, all five other actors played double roles with clear distinction and direction. Snowdon delivered the standout performance of the night, her delivery as the spoilt, demanding and manipulative Catherine was spot on and she captured her character development from wild and free spirited child to cold, arrogant and controlling young adult exceptionally. Christmas was equally as strong in his portrayal of the unstable and emotionally haunted Heathcliff, whose destructive all-consuming rage, jealousy and anger takes revenge on both himself and those around him.

However, with anger and resentment as main themes running throughout, it was all too easy for the performances to become all on one level dynamically speaking. Shouting doesn't need to be the only means of expression of frustration or annoyance, and certainly would not have befitted a lady of the late 1800s. Therefore, the use of varying volumes and tones of voice would have added further depth to the varying character relationships and provided exploration into the inner feelings during the more heated moments. Additionally, it was evident that a few actors who were multi-rolling appeared more confident as one character over the other, which made some scenes feel a little stilted in comparison.

Overall, a powerful interpretation of a staple piece of classic literature brought to life by a small but strong company filled with heart and emotion.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐