WE ARE BRONTE

Corn Exchange, Dorchester

SOUND effects paint a picture of bleak winds in a mysterious landscape which means we must be in Yorkshire moorland country where the Bronte family lived.

Right, that’s all the miserable part of the story taken care of, from now on we can enjoy the capers of a pair of actors as they enact a weird and wonderful picture of some aspects of the literary siblings lives while at the same time poking relentless fun at the gothic horror genre.

Physical comedy takes on a whole new image with this crazy couple as they explore a large house, do the washing, replicate a Heathcliff love scene and even bring Kate Bush into the scenario.

Funny and imaginative, the aim is not so much to explore the Bronte family history and novels as to take a witty and clever look at how we see their troubled lives with it ranging from hardship, hope and family tragedy.

With little in the way of dialogue or scenery, actors Sarah Corbett and Angus Barr make the most of a collection of props as they turn the tables on serious dramatic biographies and bring laughter into a madcap scenario that at times has echoes of the best of Father Ted.

This Publick Transport production has been on a national tour for nearly two years and it is a huge credit to the company that they have maintained the energy of their bonkers routines in this seriously silly comic masterpiece.

MARION COX