Pendle Borderline Theatre Company explores family drama and alcoholism in Polly Teale's Brontë

In Polly Teale's historical drama, three writers are sidelined by their drug-addicted brother Branwell, the great hope of the Brontë clan.
Claire Foster and Ayla Munro playing talented writers Emily and Anne Bronte. (s)Claire Foster and Ayla Munro playing talented writers Emily and Anne Bronte. (s)
Claire Foster and Ayla Munro playing talented writers Emily and Anne Bronte. (s)

Hoping to shed light on the lives of the women behind novels Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights are co-directors Lesley Playfer and Hilary Foster, of Pendle Borderline Theatre Company.

“Maybe it’s because we’re so close to Haworth, but there’s a real interest in the Brontës in Pendle,” they said.

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“The people and events all happened as the play suggests, so it is historically faithful.

Matt Holmes is playing drug-addict Branwell Bronte. (s)Matt Holmes is playing drug-addict Branwell Bronte. (s)
Matt Holmes is playing drug-addict Branwell Bronte. (s)

But as the audience soon discovers, the play doesn’t go for a ‘realistic’ costume-drama look.

“Instead it focuses on the truth of this family and their relationships.”

And as their brother descends into madness, the sisters turn to writing.

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“On the one hand the show is historical, but it also deals in enduring issues, such as, do those who want to produce art have to sacrifice their lives?

Matt Holmes, Mike Craine (Patrick), Rosie Butler (Charlotte) and Ayla Munro will present the broken lives behind the Bronte name. (s)Matt Holmes, Mike Craine (Patrick), Rosie Butler (Charlotte) and Ayla Munro will present the broken lives behind the Bronte name. (s)
Matt Holmes, Mike Craine (Patrick), Rosie Butler (Charlotte) and Ayla Munro will present the broken lives behind the Bronte name. (s)

“And when it comes to valuing sons over daughters, the #MeToo campaign shows this is still an issue we have not yet sorted!

“So this is a play about the Brontës, but it also reaches beyond that extraordinary family.”

Catch the show from April 25-28th at 7-30pm and book your tickets by visiting www.themuni.co.uk