9 – 13 May Read our review on 10th May
Channelling Emily Brontë’s piercing wit and fierce emotion, Inspector Sands presents a retelling of this classic story of obsessive love and revenge in their boldly humorous and humane style. Their thrilling new version draws out themes of intergenerational trauma, and the dangerous impact of social exclusion…confronting us all with urgent questions for our own times.
Told through the eyes and memories of housekeeper Nelly, alone in her kitchen during a long night of the soul, haunted by the story.
This new Inspector Sands’ adaptation has been conceived and developed by founding members Lucinka Eisler and Ben Lewis with the script written by Ben Lewis and the production directed by Lucinka Eisler (Inspector Sands’ Co-Artistic Director), the work has been a live collaboration from the outset. Designer Jamie Vartan (Evening Standard Award nominee for Misterman at the NT) will be bringing the moors and manors to life with integral sound design by Elena Peña (Misty, Bush and West End) and Dan Balfour Operation Mincemeat, Southwark Playhouse).
Lucinka Eisler said, “The show is ostensibly set in the 1750s of the story, but it is its contemporary resonances we are most drawn to, so the visual world, script and physical language all have a playful nod to a contemporary perspective on this classic. Brontë’s novel illustrates the way violence, beliefs and family dynamics are passed down from generation to generation. In turn we look at the way the story we have inherited from Brontë speaks to the huge risks of ignoring history.
We’re interested in treading the line between darkness and comedy where the most human of experiences seem to lie.
Elena is excited to be collaborating with co-sound designer, Dan Balfour and their highly-charged sound design is central to the show’s language, with a rich score composed of contemporary music and original soundscapes – it’s a character in its own right! The experience will be highly sensory, with the violence in the novel transposed through live foley sound (played out on stage as part of the action) and the characters’ internal worlds spilling out into the vast weatherscapes of the Yorkshire moors.”
Inspector Sands was founded in 2005 and have become known for their irresistible mix of comedy and pathos in their detailed exploration of human behaviour. Their work integrates heightened fourth wall realism with a more expressionistic theatrical form, often using direct audience address and drawing strongly on elements of visual and sound design. Their work is entertaining and has wide appeal whilst also pushing the boundaries of form: a combination the company are thrilled to be bringing to a larger canvas. Exquisitely crafted physical performances and fearless comedy have been at the heart of Inspector Sands’ work, allowing them to create an intimate relationship with a broad range of audiences. The company have previously performed at the National Theatre, Almeida, Lyric Hammersmith, Bristol Old Vic (Mayfest), Traverse, Southbank Centre, Summerhall, London International Mime Festival and BAC.
Box Office: 0186530 5305
Oxford Playhouse
Photo credit: Alex Brenner
