Preview: WUDS Presents ‘Wuthering Heights’

Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights: the love tragedy known by many, is a play like no other. Whether you know the story well or just know the Kate Bush song (I’m not going to lie, I was singing it on my way to watch the rehearsal), it is a greatly loved tale. Walking into rehearsals, I was intrigued as I had been told to ‘walk around and really experience it’ prior to my arrival. After a quick interview with the cast and the director, I couldn’t wait to see the play on its feet. The cast told me that this was a promenade piece, meaning audience are to stand and walk around the space whilst watching the performance, something I had never done before. The majority of the cast had never performed a promenade piece before, so they were just as excited as I was! The performance space reflects the world of Wuthering Heights, split into three sections which audience members are to walk around and watch as the actors move around the stage.

One minute you’re laughing with Mr Lockwood’s humorous character, the next, you’re almost in tears due to the tragic story of Cathy and Heathcliff’s love

I was impressed with the energy buzzing around the cast from the outset as Mr Lockwood (played wonderfully by Max Kennedy), guides the audience through the space, narrating his story; humouring us as we walk. The way in which the space is set out works well and having Kennedy watch the story unfold with us was extremely clever as the story wasn’t being narrated just to him, but to the whole audience as well. Lottie Titcomb’s directing is brilliant: the body language and movement between Cathy and Heathcliff is rather beautiful and works very well. The acting is flawless from every single character, I was especially impressed with Rosie Beth who plays Cathy: her emotions were so believable that I was completely taken away by her performance.

The entire group work extremely well together: the energy was high throughout and the sheer emotion in the room was intense but utterly impressive. I have to say, I was worried I would feel uncomfortable walking around and thought it would be difficult to tell when to move, but this was far from the case. I was so comfortable within the space and, even though I was the only audience member alongside the Director and Producer, I was guided extremely well by the cast’s movements. The promenade performance also makes you feel part of the performance and I engaged with the actors throughout my little preview.

audience members are to walk around and watch as the actors move around the stage

The entire cast almost moved me to tears and the direction is utterly brilliant: I was in awe throughout and couldn’t look away. One minute you’re laughing with Mr Lockwood’s humorous character, the next, you’re almost in tears due to the tragic story of Cathy and Heathcliff’s love, then you get suddenly moved around the stage because of a frightening fight. The performance is thrilling, exciting and fantastically done and I can’t wait to see the whole thing next week.

This is not one to be missed so don’t forget to book your tickets:

WUDS Presents: Wuthering Heights, Warwick Arts Centre Studio, 2^nd-5^th March 2016(http://www.warwickartscentre.co.uk/whats-on/2016/wuds-wuthering-heights/)