Who would have thought it eh? There we all were thinking of the Brontë sisters, cosily scribbling away in the vicarage at Haworth when all the time there was rivalry and mayhem.
By Angie Millard
Congratulations to Claire Morley who has directed this unusual play for York Settlement Community Players. This play was performed in 2024 at The National Theatre and I must admit the production had escaped my attention which is my loss, as it is a gem.
The set created by Richard Hampton is a joyous riot of hanging greenery and pages from Brontë novels. Upstage centre is a framed picture of moorland foliage while the only other furnishings are 3 boxes, papered in pages from the works of the sisters. An abstract setting which signals the tone of the piece. The soundtrack is equally surprising featuring modern female musicians like Billie Eilish and Charli XCX.
As you may expect, the acting and use of language echoes this and it is both funny and unexpected to hear Victorian ladies using terms like ‘that’s b*llocks’ or ‘f*ck off’. Nonetheless it always gets a laugh.
Lara Stafford attacks the role of Charlotte with a relentless energy and ferocity. Her facial expressions frequently change to mirror a range of emotions which often do not match her words. She is by turns, infuriatingly lovable and spiteful and her performance reaches bravura proportions.
The underdog Anne is played by Millie Rhodes who maintains dignity and serenity, acting as a perfect foil for Charlotte’s bullying jealousy. She defends herself resolutely when Charlotte steals her idea of a governess as a heroine and it is true to say that her realistic writing style is very different from Charlotte’s romanticism.
Emily, played by Jess Murray, stands up to Charlotte and forms an alliance with Anne yet her most famous and only novel: Wuthering Heights is rarely mentioned. The play is Charlotte’s story about her ambitions but Wuthering Heights stands alone as a masterpiece, much adapted and eerily modern. Jess Murray gives a formidable performance. Emily is strong and resolute.
The ensemble, including Nick Patrick Jones as a slimy Branwell, features Jon Cook, playing against gender as one of Anne’s peculiar employers, Pamela Gourley, again playing against gender, as a prejudiced publisher and Maggie Smales reaching new character heights. Her portrayal of a truly revolting child plucking a small bird, her representation of an entitled Elizabeth Gaskell and her very funny coachman, complete with clacking coconut shells added not only humour but fun to the play.
Claire Morley has brought something new to the YSCP’s repertoire: terrific professionalism and new material.
Underdog: The Other Other Brontë played at Theatre@41 on Tuesday 13 October 2026.