A novel new look at The Brontes

Familiar faces from television will be shining fresh light on the story of The Bronte sisters in a brand new play at The Dukes this autumn.

Sophia Di Martino, best known to television audiences as Polly Emmerson in Casualty, and Becky Hindley who played teacher-turned-stalker Charlotte Hoyle in Coronation Street will appear in the Northern Broadsides production of We Are Three Sisters from September 27-October 1.

They will be joined on stage by Northern Broadsides director Barrie Rutter and  the popular comedian and actor Duggie Brown. Also known to Dukes audiences will be Rebecca Hutchinson who played the lead role in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice in the spring; and Gareth Cassidy who appeared in Peter Pan, last summer’s outdoor show in Williamson Park.

We Are Three Sisters is written by Skipton-born Blake Morrison who has five plays to his credit but is best known for his two family memoirs and a study of the Jamie Bulger case.

This celebrated writer has put a Yorkshire spin on Chekhov’s Three Sisters to demonstrate how, against the gloomy backdrop of a Yorkshire parsonage in the 1840s, the Brontes lit up their world with outspoken wit, aspirations, dreams and ideas.

The Dukes is delighted to see the return of Northern Broadsides who co-produced 1984 with the Lancaster theatre last autumn.

We Are Three Sisters is likely to attract not only fans of the Bronte novels but also those who know of the many Bronte links to the Lancaster district and are interested in seeing them portrayed in an imaginative way. 

We Are Three Sisters runs from September 27-October 1 in The Rake. There are two matinees on September 28 and October 1. There will be a post show talkback which is free to tickeholders on September 27, providing a rare chance to meet the director and cast and learn more about the making of this production.

To book, please contact The Dukes box office on 01524 598500 or www.dukes-lancaster.org

Editor’s Notes

Becky Hindley who plays Lydia Robinson, lives in Warton near Carnforth and was brought up in Parbold. She was educated in Ormskirk and Wigan. Becky is best known for playing Charlotte Hoyle in Coronation Street, the teacher-turned-stalker who was murdered by John Stape. Lydia Robinson is said to have had a love affair with the Brontes’ brother, Branwell, who turned to drink and drugs when she ended their romance.

Rebecca Hutchinson who plays Anne Bronte was brought up in Darwen. She played Little Voice in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice at The Dukes during March and April.

Performance: We Are Three Sisters

Dates: Tuesday 27 September-Saturday 1 October, 7.30pm. Matinees:  Wednesday 28 September & Saturday 1 October, 2pm

Tickets: £11-£18.50. All concessions receive a further £2 off.

Box Office: 01524 598500 www.dukes-lancaster.org