During November Tavonians Theatre Company will be visiting six towns and villages in east Cornwall and West Devon with a modern and moving play about the three Brontë sisters, their brother and father, and several of the well-known characters from their books.
Brontë by Polly Teale dramatically illustrates the highs and lows the family experienced from 1845 when the sisters’ brother Branwell returned home in disgrace, plagued by his addictions. bringing turmoil to the household. Throughout this period each of the young women continued to write their now famous stories, using their own lives and shared experiences to create their brilliant characters. Polly Teale’s clever dramatisation matches the creative genius of the three sisters and the anguish they each experience, suffering the highs of success and the lows of their losses, whilst bringing the characters to life.
Stuart Waterworth, director of Brontë for the Tavonians, says “I first came across this play a few years ago when a friend of mine was directing it, it sounded interesting and I immediately bought a copy. I found it to be clever and exciting. The play, as with any family, has laughter and tears, satisfaction and frustration, love and loss. It is perhaps one of the most challenging plays the Tavonians have tackled for some time. With an enthusiastic cast it promises to make the autumnal evenings glow.”
The Tavonians’ tour starts in Mary Tavy on 9th November and visits Meavy on the 12th, Callington on the 15th, Sterts at Upton Cross on the 16th, Tavistock Town Hall on the 22nd and ends at Okehampton Charter Hall on the 23rd. All performances at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from local ticket outlets and online at www.tavonians.org.uk. On several evenings there will be food and drink available before the performance and during the interval, making the evening into a social event. Full details will be available on the Tavonians’ website.