Publick Transport’s show teaching the world about the doomed but brilliant literary siblings has been doing the rounds of the fringe circuit for a while and comes back to Bristol as part of an extended tour.
Is it tired? No.
Is it funny? Is it unique? Is it worth getting a ticket? Yes, Yes, Yes.
But is it really about the Brontës? Yes, but it’s also a whole lot more. ‘We are Bronte’ seeks to capture the essence of life in the West Ridings and performers Sarah Corbett and Angus Barr are not only Charlotte, Emily, Anne and Branwell, but also Heathcliff, Cathy and Jane Eyre. They are also the descendants of many of the great British comedians. They are Spike Milligan, Monty Python, Peter Cook, Tony Hancock, Victoria Wood, Marty Feldman and The National Theatre of Brent all rolled into one. Or two in this case.
Brilliantly utilising a motley collection of props the pair create a gothic landscape of riotously funny sketches, some of which are instantly recognisable and others more obscure. During the latter moments the actors break out of character, worried that the audience aren’t getting the references or understanding the metaphors. This doesn’t disrupt the piece, but only reinforces the madcap nature of the show. We feel reassured when Barr admits that he hasn’t read ‘the book’, but has watched a lot of YouTube. The pace changes along the way and drives an hour of visual and verbal fun. There is even an improvised Q&A in the middle to help the audience out and Corbett’s facial expressions are a joy. Her range extends from boredom through to fear, loathing and outright befuddlement.
There are many standout scenes, but my own favourite featured within three minutes a nightmare involving an ancient fearsome looking doll, a wraparound bedsheet being unwound like a shroud, sputtering tubercular coughing and a horrifying consumption of a worm emerging from a boiled egg. Pure genius.
Ed Rapley’s direction was adept as the performers used the backdrop of smeared flats, two chairs and a very accurate smoke machine to conjure up the misty moor to great effect. Angus Barr’s sombre descriptions to the audience of what had just occurred are combined with much gurning and a good line in leering and a general embodiment of dread.
The show wouldn’t be complete without a reference to Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights although even the exceptionally weird video of her own dancing is outshone by the bizarre and whacky musical movements that the two choose to re-enact.
As if this wasn’t enough there are two of the most eccentric wigs ever seen on a stage. This is enough to warrant the ticket price in itself, but the humour gained from the acknowledged oddball nature of the hairdos makes it compulsory.
We are Brontë is fun. We are Brontë is a one off. We are Brontë is unmissable. They are Brilliant.
★★★★★ Bryan Mason 15th November 2018
