Three Sisters Brontë

by Arlene Hutton

Set against the bleak and windy Yorkshire moors, three sisters struggle to find creative prosperity while navigating the harsh realities of male society. Faced with limited opportunities for educated women, Charlotte, Emily and Anne live in the rich worlds of their imaginations, until they are forced to face the truth that nothing is certain, and their destinies are best served when held firmly in their own...

Set against the bleak and windy Yorkshire moors, three sisters struggle to find creative prosperity while navigating the harsh realities of male society. Faced with limited opportunities for educated women, Charlotte, Emily and Anne live in the rich worlds of their imaginations, until they are forced to face the truth that nothing is certain, and their destinies are best served when held firmly in their own hands.
Inspired by Anton Chekhov’s classic, "The Three Sisters Brontë" is an adaptation that explores the parallels in the lives of the Brontës and the Prozorovs.

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Three Sisters Brontë

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  • Stephen Kaplan: Three Sisters Brontë by Arlene Hutton
    “

    A brilliant combination of the Brontës and Chekhov's Three Sisters that illuminates each. Fantastic roles for actors (especially the women) and would be a perfect show for any theatre looking for a piece that lives comfortably alongside the "classics." Those that are familiar with Chekhov's play will get a kick out of how Hutton seamlessly replaces the moors for the "not Moscow" town and it makes you wonder if Chekhov had really had the three sisters Brontë in mind when he wrote his play. I can't wait to see this play done!

    A brilliant combination of the Brontës and Chekhov's Three Sisters that illuminates each. Fantastic roles for actors (especially the women) and would be a perfect show for any theatre looking for a piece that lives comfortably alongside the "classics." Those that are familiar with Chekhov's play will get a kick out of how Hutton seamlessly replaces the moors for the "not Moscow" town and it makes you wonder if Chekhov had really had the three sisters Brontë in mind when he wrote his play. I can't wait to see this play done!

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: Three Sisters Brontë by Arlene Hutton
    “

    A great adaptation of a time old story of living in patriarchy, beautifully brought to life. Well done.

    A great adaptation of a time old story of living in patriarchy, beautifully brought to life. Well done.

    ”
The playwright encourages diversity in casting. This is a theatrical experience, not a docu-drama.
CHARLOTTE BRONTE, a former governess. 28 years old at the start of the play.
EMILY BRONTE, her sister, a mystic. Quiet, lone. 26 years old.
ANNE BRONTE, their sister, the cheerful baby of the family. 24 years old.
BRANWELL BRONTE, their brother, a mad drunkard. 27 years old.
PATRICK BRONTE, their father, 60s, a Yorkshire parson.

ARTHUR BELL NICHOLLS, Patrick Bronte's curate, in love with Charlotte.
WILLIAM WEIGHTMAN, a curate, 20s, who flirts with Anne.

SMITH, another curate, 20s.

THE VICAR OF BRADFORD, 50-70s, an old friend of Patrick's.
CROSBY, a visitor. Can double with SMITH.
Note on casting: It would be interesting to cast Weightman and Smith with female actors. This would not be a George Sand cross-dressing character, but rather pants roles. The virginal curates could be played by women who are acting as young, masculine men.

Development History

  • Workshop, UCSB LaunchPad, 2019
  • Workshop, Rubicon Theatre, 2017
  • Reading, The Barrow Group, 2016
  • Reading, New Dramatists, 2016
  • Reading, Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond, London, UK, 2014
  • Workshop, The Lark Play Development Center, 2012

Production History

  • Workshop, PURE Theatre, Charleston, SC, 2013