Review: ‘Wuthering Heights’ performed by WUDS

As I walked into the theatre for WUDS production of Wuthering Heights, I knew immediately that this was to be a theatre experience unlike any other: instead of conventionally sitting in front of the play, the audience are instead encouraged to move around the space, following the action as it moves from Wuthering Heights, across the moor, and into Thrushcross Grange. Though this felt a little clumsy at times, with characters occasionally bumping into members of the audience, on the whole it worked well. The audience felt part of Nelly’s story and the heath being centre stage really emphasised the centrality of the wilderness and nature consuming Cathy and Heathcliff to the story. Lockwood often standing amongst the audience was a clever touch, drawing the audience in as the tale unfolded. The use of light was as powerful, with Heathcliff often being cast in shadow whilst characters such as Isabella and Cathy Linton were bathed in light. It mirrored Heathcliff’s inner torment, by being consumed in darkness, living in the shadow of his all-encompassing love for Catherine Earnshaw.

I felt that the characters had a real connection: united by their recklessness yet powerlessness and torn apart by society

The physical movement of the audience and the characters allowed for a blurring between the past and the present – though it was sometimes unclear in which time the action was taking place. But it helped to emphasise the important aspect of the story: that these characters live in both the past and the present. The audience was carried with them through time and across the heath.

Stand-out performances in the production for me were Sam Kirby (Heathcliff) and Rosie Shufflebotham (Cathy). I felt that the characters had a real connection: united by their recklessness yet powerlessness and torn apart by society. Their love certainly transcended spiritual and even moral boundaries. The wilderness of the heath was a part of them and, by standing on it watching their tragic love story unfold, we were a part of it.

the audience are instead encouraged to move around the space, following the action as it moves from Wuthering Heights, across the moor, and into Thrushcross Grange

Overall, this was an excellent adaptation of a classic novel. It effectively explored the key themes in the original text of social divides, hatred and love that knows no boundaries. It was a different and thought-provoking theatre experience and one that I would thoroughly recommend.