Becoming Brontë
This play has the following sections: 1 2 3
A two-act poetic chamber play
Winner of the Austin Critics Table Award, the Live Oak Award for New Play Development, and the Richard and Betty Burdick National Playwright’s Festival. First produced by Capitol City Playhouse, Directed by Shannon Mayers, Featuring Missy Thomas, Aimee McCormick, Kathy Catmull, and P. Seth Bauer.
CHARACTERS
EMILY JANE BRONTË– Poet, at age 21, and soon-to-be author of a single novel, Wuthering Heights. Tall. Brooding. Insecure.
CHARLOTTE BRONTË– The oldest sister, author of Jane Eyre. Most popular of the three sisters. Practical. Plain. Responsible.
ANNE BRONTË– The youngest sister. Religious, but also quite passionate, and somewhat vain.
WILLIAM WEIGHTMAN– A young curate between 25-35. Sometimes described with red hair.
SETTINGS
The courtyard/graveyard of Haworth Parsonage, The Brontë’s living room, a lecture hall, and the ever-present Yorkshire moors.
TIME
1839-1842, collapsed. A very specific incident at an early point in their development. The scenes are continuous in two acts.
PRODUCTION NOTES
The setting dissolved quickly from place to place with simple lighting, exits and entrances, like a piece of chamber music. In fact, the liberal use of music is encouraged. Type, either classical or contemporary, should be determined in relation to the total production design, which may be selected realism or simply abstract. Costuming best be iconic: the women keep the same period dresses throughout: Weightman might have a fancy vest and a darker one. Anne might sport a parasol, Charlotte and Emily aprons and shawls that they take on and off. The pace should be lively and precise. The dialect need not be severe nor Irish in any respect, just a good solid standard British, easy on the audience’s ear.
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