The 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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The Three Sisters Brontë

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  • Robert Alexander Wray:
    13 Apr. 2022
    “ Gleaming with Chekhovian structure and style, the play--about gender politics, about family, about religion's place in the world, about art, about love--revs its engines in classical form and takes off and soars under the power of its exploration of dreams both dashed and achieved. Reading it was akin to taking in a Dickens novel: Rich characters in a fully realized world with stories told against the backdrop of looming death. That said, it's also funny! This is a play that should be produced asap, and often. ”
  • Stephen Kaplan:
    8 Jul. 2021
    “ 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:
    1 Jan. 2021
    “ 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