Wise Children’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights

‘Full of the expressive theatricality director Emma Rice has built her reputation on’: WUTHERING HEIGHTS – National Theatre

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National Theatre, Lyttelton – until 19 March 2022

First seen late last year, Wuthering Heights arrives at the National Theatre as a co-production with Wise Children, Bristol Old Vic and York Theatre Royal. But though Emma Rice’s adaptation of Emily Brontë’s famous novel is full of the expressive theatricality on which she has built her reputation, it is hard to shake the feeling that it just doesn’t work as well here.

So there’s broad humour aplenty (the screaming wind is inspired) and irreverent musical interventions (Cathy goes full-on miked up rock chick at one point). But there are elements that feel tired – a huge screen used for nothing but skyscapes, meaningless runs out into the audience, books as birds, puppet kids, it just feels like a lack of fresh inspiration.

Matters aren’t helped by an episodic approach to the text which ends up muting its emotional impact throughout. Using the framing device of Mr Lockwood being told the story of Heathcliff and Catherine is technically useful, not least in the explanation of the closely twisting branches of their family trees, but it does result in a punishingly long first act and a second which jars in its abrupt shifts in emotional tone.

There’s no questioning the commitment of the cast and band though, particularly Nandi Bhebhe as the embodiment of The Moor whose unflagging energy levels are a real saving grace. Ash Hunter’s cool fury as Heathcliff is certainly striking and if Lucy McCormick’s Catherine is occasionally a little too overwrought, her manic presence is likewise distinctive. Katy Owen’s comic turns are great value for money and Tama Phethean broods well as Hareton.

Altogether though, the production just doesn’t quite feel up to far, a collection of previous ideas that haven’t been workshopped enough to make a cohesive whole that works to truly elevate the material.

Running time: 2 hours 50 minutes (with interval)
Photos: Steve Tanner
Wuthering Heights is booking at the National Theatre until 19th March

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‘Full of the expressive theatricality director #EmmaRice has built her reputation on’: @OughtToBeClowns on @Wise_Children’s adaptation of Emily Bronte classic #WutheringHeights at @NationalTheatre. #theatrereviews #LondonTheatre

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Ian Foster
Since 2003, Ian Foster has been writing reviews of plays, sometimes with a critical element, on his blog Ought to Be Clowns, which has been listed as one of the UK's Top Ten Theatre Blogs by Lastminute.com, Vuelio and Superbreak. He averages more than 350+ shows a year. He says: "Call me a reviewer, a critic or a blogger, and you will apparently put someone or other's nose out of joint! So take it or leave it, essentially this is my theatrical diary, recording everything I go to see at the theatre in London and beyond, and venturing a little into the worlds of music and film/TV where theatrical connections can be made."
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Ian Foster on FacebookIan Foster on RssIan Foster on Twitter
Ian Foster
Since 2003, Ian Foster has been writing reviews of plays, sometimes with a critical element, on his blog Ought to Be Clowns, which has been listed as one of the UK's Top Ten Theatre Blogs by Lastminute.com, Vuelio and Superbreak. He averages more than 350+ shows a year. He says: "Call me a reviewer, a critic or a blogger, and you will apparently put someone or other's nose out of joint! So take it or leave it, essentially this is my theatrical diary, recording everything I go to see at the theatre in London and beyond, and venturing a little into the worlds of music and film/TV where theatrical connections can be made."

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