Charlotte Brontë’s Villette
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough 
20 October – 12 November 2005
A brand new adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s Villette can be seen at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough from 20 October – 12 November. Presented in association with Frantic Assembly, Villette is the SJT’s tribute to Charlotte Brontë on the 150th anniversary of her death.
A new life beckons for Lucy Snowe, who leaves behind her past and flees from England. As a teacher in a school in the town of Villette, Lucy is faced with a world of coquettish schoolgirls, a fierce headmistress and stories of a ghostly nun who haunts the dormitories. It is enough to push her fevered imagination to the edge, enduring fire, storms and unrequited love. But could a happy ending be in her grasp?
Villette is Charlotte Brontë’s most autobiographical novel, based on her experiences when travelling through Europe where she fell passionately and dangerously in love. Her last completed work, Villette was written after the death of her sister Anne, who is buried in Scarborough.
Villette is adapted by Lisa Evans, whose other adaptations for stage include Anne Brontë’s The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall and Daphne Du Maurier’s Jamaica Inn. Director Laurie Sansom combines the powerful text with choreographed movement provided by theatre company Frantic Assembly.
The award-winning Frantic Assembly stand at the forefront of modern British physical theatre and over the past 10 years have become one of the most pioneering and exciting companies in the UK. The movement directors on Villette are Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett, who are founder members and joint Artistic Directors of the company.
The Stephen Joseph Theatre was founded 50 years ago and was the UK’s very first theatre-in-the-round. The SJT is led by Artistic Director Alan Ayckbourn, the world’s most performed living playwright. One of the few new writing venues in the country, the SJT also produces innovative adaptations of classics.
All tickets for Early Bird performances on 20 – 25 October cost £8.50. Best seats for all other performances are a special price of £10 for Bronte List members. For more information call the Box Office on 01723 370541 or email: tickets@sjt.uk.com
2 comments:
She did 'Vilette' and 'Wildfell Hall'? Wow! Hopefully someday it will come to US/Canada... *sigh*
...Hm. The Stratford Festival should really try some of these productions. I would love to see them try Jane Eyre. They have the resources to compete with the Broadway staging, if not actually re-create it.
I once went to a performance of Pericles, Prince of Tyre, at the Festival Theatre. At one point there's the scene of a shipwreck, and Pericles falls from the mast into the sea. It actually looked like seeing a film of the real thing in slow motion! They timed the 'lightning' just right to disguise the effect of the pulleys that must have been lowering him into the fabric sea... Wow. It was just... wow. WOW!
So, they should try Jane Eyre. It is a long-cherished dream of mine.
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