Outdoor season to reach new Heights

There's a double first in prospect at Lytham Hall as its now-annual outdoor theatre season gets underway.
Aaron Charles as Heathcliff and Emily-Rose Hurdiss as Catherine Earnshaw.Aaron Charles as Heathcliff and Emily-Rose Hurdiss as Catherine Earnshaw.
Aaron Charles as Heathcliff and Emily-Rose Hurdiss as Catherine Earnshaw.

A large audience is expected for Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights on Sunday, the first in the season of four open-air plays.

Emily-Rose Hurdiss, who plays the key lead role of Catherine Earnshaw, will be making her first appearance for Lincoln-based Chapterhouse in a show produced by Richard Main. Eliza, who trained at Bath University and the Oxford School of Drama, is looking forward to the most exacting role of her career.

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She said: “The success of TV series like Downton Abbey have made stage productions of romantic novels very popular in recent years, and this is a very thoughtful adaptation of Emily Bronte’s book by Laura Turner.

“I feel that my role is the key to our success, and after five weeks of rehearsals in Lincoln I can’t wait to get started.”

The Chapterhouse cast of eight will come to Lytham Hall at the start of a summer tour of Wuthering Heights which will take them to venues throughout England, Scotland Wales and Ireland for 64 performances over four months

Blackpool-trained Aaron Charles who plays the brooding and passionate Heathcliff is looking forward once again to the Lytham Hall setting.

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He said: “Lytham Hall’s outdoor arena is quiet and away from traffic noise, so we all relish playing there. I am optimistic our tour will get off to an encouraging start in front of a Lytham audience which is always knowledgeable and enthusiastic.”

With warmer weather early in June advance tickets have been selling well and open air theatre organiser Julian Wilde is expecting a large number of enthusiasts to pay at the gate.

He said: “I think everyone is in the mood to enjoy the array of outdoor events on offer in Lytham this summer, whatever the weather, and I am sure the picnickers and playgoers will be out in force.

“I am confident Wuthering Heights will get the season off to a fine start.”

Gates will open at 4pm and the play, which starts at 6pm, will finish around 8.30pm. The audience should bring their own seating and suitably warm clothes.

For more details, call (01253) 736652.

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