Wuthering Heights At Theatre Royal, Nottingham Review

Reviewed by Louise Edwards

Are you looking for escapism theatre that will literally leave you speechless, breathless, exhausted and invigorated?!

Then look no further than the gothic Wuthering Heights, which is this week gracing the boards at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham until Saturday and then continuing its nationwide tour until 28 May.

Mr Lockwood, played by Craig Johnson, a tenant of Thrushcross Grange, is visiting his landlord, Heathcliffe, played by Liam Tamne, in the middle of a freezing and threatening snowstorm. He begs for refuge and is met with hostility so turns to the other inhabitants who we learn are Cathy Linton (played by Witney White) and Hareton Earnshaw (played byTama Phethean). These two are sullen and morose. Eventually Heathcliffe agrees for him to find a corner to stay. Lockwood settles himself with a book, which we learn is the diary of Catherine Earnshaw, played by Lucy McCormick, and he has a nightmare where she hammers at the window and tries to break into the house. He screams and alerts Heathcliffe. The Leader of the Yorkshire Moor, played by Nandi Bhebhe, with windswept tree headwear, narrates the story with comedy and the audience are captivated by the energy and pace of the production as we learn the story of Catherine and Heathcliffe.

Catherine’s father, Mr Earnshaw, adopts young Heathcliffe who he meets at Liverpool docks and raises him with his own children, Catherine and Hindley (also played by Phethan). As children they are played by puppets, which give a fun yet naive angle to their personalities. Hindley is jealous and cruel to Heathcliffe whereas Catherine and Heathcliffe are instantly drawn to each other and she defends him against her brother. On the death of their father Hindley casts out Heathcliffe as a servant and introduces his new wife, Frances (also played by White), who later dies when giving birth to Hareton.

The stage is ever moving to show doors opening and scenes changing from the whirling Yorkshire moors to the inside of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange.

Living in Thrushcross Grange, 4 miles away, are siblings Edgar (also played by Craig Johnson) and the very amusing Isabella Linton (played by Katy Owen who also plays the young Lindon Heathcliffe). Catherine is banned from seeing Heathcliffe and moves in with the Linton’s shortly to be married to Edgar, even though her true love is Heathcliffe, but she cannot marry him as he has no money. Heathcliffe overhears her telling The Moor this and flees leaving Catherine heartbroken. Her returns years later a wealthy man and flirts with Isabella, eventually marrying her to try to make Catherine jealous. As the Moor tells us they have upset the natural order of things, by first favouring an adopted child over their natural children and then marrying for money more than love.

There is a lot of death, cruelty and deep sadness but this production is lighthearted and very funny. Even the 90 minute first half flies by in a flash of dance, energy, rock and incredible acting with passion. All of the actors play multiple parts, apart from Catherine and Heathcliffe, who are rarely off stage.

This is a co production between the National Theatre, Wise Children, Bristol Old Vic and York Theatre Royal this classic novel written in 1847, by Emily Bronte is adapted for the stage by Emma Rice,who received the UK Theatre Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre in 2019.

An incredible production which thoroughly deserved the standing ovation from such a talented cast and creatives.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £20

Wuthering Heights is at The Theatre Royal, Nottingham until Saturday 30 April 2022

For more information or to book tickets visit https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/wuthering-heights-22/or call the box office on 0115 989 5555

Wuthering Heights, Theatre Royal, Nottingham
The Yorkshire moors tell an epic story of love, revenge and redemption. Rescued from the Liverpool docks as a child, Heathcliff is adopted by the Earnshaws and taken to live at Wuthering Heights. He finds a kindred spirit in Catherine Earnshaw and a fierce love ignites.
trch.co.uk

Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND