The Minack Theatre must surely be the most beautiful theatre in the country. Carved out of the craggy Cornwall cliffside, a vision realised by Rowena Cade, a visit should be on the ‘to do’ list of theatre lovers. ‘This is crazy,’ said my young companion as we gingerly made our way to our places to settle down for Ilkley Playhouse’s good take on Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, adapted by directors Walter Swan and Yvette Huddleston.
Perched on the edge of Britain’s coastline, the moor is represented by the sea – ‘wuthering’ itself on this matinee performance; and the players became part of the landscape, just as in the book.
The adaptation is a solid narrative of the novel; outlining the gloomy history of the odd inhabitants of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange; keeping the device of a story told by Nelly, well-played by Ellen Shorrock, to Lockwood (Robson Stroud) and sticking to many original lines, notably ‘He’s more myself than I am’ – Cathy’s explanation of her link with Heathcliff. This is one weakness – the relationship between them needed to be played out more for a theatrical performance.
The first act ends with Cathy’s death, allowing a good exploration in the second for the next generation to eventually redeem the anger and agony of the past.
The large cast – notably Nikki Mason’s Cathy Linton and Patrick Hebbert’s sensitive Hareton – worked well together. The intensity that is such a feature of this story was missing in some parts but hit the spot in the satisfying ending.
The Minack Theatre programme continues until the end of September although it is open for visits all year. For details of Ilkley Playhouse’s season, visit www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk