Theatre News

Shared Experience Revive Brontë for UK Tour

Theo Bosanquet
London's West End Off-West End

Shared Experience is taking a new production of Polly Teale‘s 2005 play Brontë on a UK tour this spring, including a stint at London’s Tricycle Theatre from 5 to 30 April 2011.

Brontë opens in 1845, as Branwell returns home in disgrace. Plagued by alcohol and drug addiction, he has been dismissed from domestic service following an affair with the mistress of the house. As their brother descends into alcoholism and insanity, bringing chaos to the household, the sisters write.

How is it possible that three Victorian spinsters, living in isolation on the Yorkshire moors could have written some of the most powerful and passionate fiction of all time?

Writer Polly Teale is co-artistic director of Shared Experience. Her previous plays for the company include Jane Eyre and After Mrs Rochester which both transferred to the West End.

Brontë, which is co-produced by Shared Experience and the Watermill Theatre with Oxford Playhouse, is directed by Nancy Meckler and will also visit: Oxford Playhouse (24 March-2 April), Richmond Theatre (10-14 May), Theatre Royal Bath (17-21 May), West Yorkshire Playhouse (24-28 May), Glasgow Citizens (1-4 June) and Yvonne Arnaud Theatre (7-11 June).