Alan Ayckbourn: Plays Directed

The Brontës Of Haworth parts I & II (1984)

Production Details

Author:
New Play:

Venue:
Location:
Staging:

First performance:
Opening night:
Final performance:
Christopher Fry & Kerry Gardner
Yes

Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round
Main house (Round)
Round

11 / 12 October 1985
11 / 12 October 1985
6 December 1985
Director:
Lighting:
Design:
Costumes:
Music:

Stage Manager:
Stage Manager:
Deputy Stage Manager:
Deputy Stage Manager:
Asst. Stage Manager:
Asst. Stage Manager:
Alan Ayckbourn
Michael Thomas
Adrian P Smith
Edward Lipscomb
Paul Todd

Duncan Lewis
David Milling
David Emmett-Miller
Jo Linfoot
Paul Quinn
Kathryn-Anne Woodward
Character
Mrs Gaskell
The Rev. Patrick Brontë
Charlotte
Branwell
Emily
Anne
Aunt Branwell
Tabitha Ackroyd
John Brown
Martha Brown
James Feather
Thomas Sugden
Dan
Annie
Bessy Hardacre
Bob
Tom Spring
Man in Castle Tavern
Mr Bennet
Mr Woolven
Francis Grundy
Joseph Leyland
John Hunter Thompson
Walton
Barmaid at the Lord Nelson
Mr Greenish
Madame Heger
Monsieur Heger
The Rev. Willie Weightman
Mrs Robinson
Lydia, her daughter
Elizabeth, her daughter
Mary, her daughter
George Gooch
Mary Taylor
Ellen Nussey
Nurse
Miss Wooler
The Rev. Mr Smith
The Rev. Arthur Bell Nicholls
George Smith
James Taylor
W.S. Williams
Actor
Caroline Webster
Geoffrey Banks
Jane Hollowood
Dominic Letts
Tessa Bell-Briggs
Lesley Meade
Heather Stoney
Angela Rooks
Stephen Mallatratt
Kathryn-Anne Woodward
Ben Daniels
John Peters
Paul Quinn
Sue Burton
Heather Stoney
Ben Daniels
Randal Herley
Russell Dixon
Nicholas Lumley
John Peters
Ben Daniels
Randal Herley
Stephen Mallatratt
John Peters
Kathryn-Anne Woodward
Stephen Mallatratt
Angela Rooks
Nicholas Lumley
Russell Dixon
Heather Stoney
Christina Barryk
Sue Burton
Kathryn-Anne Woodward
Randale Herley
Sue Burton
Christine Barryk
Kathryn-Anne Woodward
Heather Stoney
John Peters
Nicholas Lumley
Stephen Mallatratt
John Peters
Randal Herley

Notes

The Brontës Of Haworth consisted of two parts which were premiered over two separate nights; Part I on 11 October and Part II on 12 October 1985.
The Brontës Of Haworth was adapted from Christopher Fry's 1973 television drama of the same name. It was adapted by Kerry Gardner for the stage with input from Christopher Fry.
Although presented as two distinct performances, The Brontës Of Haworth is counted as one rather than two plays (and, consequently, one rather than two premieres) in the same way Alan Ayckbourn's two-part The Revengers' Comedies is just counted as a single play.
Notoriously, the production apparently played to audiences with fewer members than the extended company on several occasions! This was particularly the case during the matinee performances aimed at school audiences. Unfortunately, mass teachers’ strikes took place during the run of the play meaning the schools performances frequently had no schools attending.
All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd.