After a good hour on the bus and the wonderful sights of Huddersfield we arrived at the pretty theatre and dispersed to get food before the start of the play.
The production started at 7:30 and we settled ourselves down into our seats ready for something dark and slightly depressing. The outcome however was very different.
Wit and sarcasm made up the main bulk of the dialogue. Expertly portrayed as Emily Bronte Sophia di Martino stole the show with her meek expression and insightful humour. Though there was little plot and exaggerated characterisation the outcome was a fairly interesting and intuitive play, with a new perspective on the lives of the sisters as dedicated and happy women, empowered by their charismatic and kind father yet disheartened by their brother who was a gambler and a drunk. It showed their unfailing love towards their depleting family and that they clung on to every morsel of happiness that they could, living off routine, humour and of course their writing.
There were suggestions at Chekov’s play, with dramatic alteration, yet it had a charm which definitely rubbed off on the audience who were chuckling and at points howling with laughter at others. The staging and costume were definitely realistic if a little dull, yet brightened by the lime green dress of Lydia, Branwells feisty and distasteful love.
The play was appreciated by all of us yet we went away with a sense of a bit of an anti-climax and the feeling of the impending doom of the poor sisters and their brother which was a sobering thought. A big thank you to Mr Payton for taking us all, we had a wonderful time.
Report by Mimi Corden-Lloyd (Lower Sixth)