Branwell (and the other Brontes): an autobiography edited by Charlotte Bronte

by Stephen Kaplan

SEMI-FINALIST: O’Neill - Branwell Brontë has always been desperate to keep up with his brilliant sisters Charlotte, Emily, and Anne. On his deathbed, the sisters use the magic of worlds created when they were children to keep them all distracted from the harsh reality of not only Branwell’s impending death, but the sisters’ recent literary successes – each has had a novel published. But the family discovers that...

SEMI-FINALIST: O’Neill - Branwell Brontë has always been desperate to keep up with his brilliant sisters Charlotte, Emily, and Anne. On his deathbed, the sisters use the magic of worlds created when they were children to keep them all distracted from the harsh reality of not only Branwell’s impending death, but the sisters’ recent literary successes – each has had a novel published. But the family discovers that the thing they love best and are best at, creating stories, is sometimes the very thing that causes the greatest destruction.

Though set in the past, Branwell (and the other Brontës): an autobiography edited by Charlotte Brontë is about how, throughout time, we tell and use stories and fantasy to deal with our realities. It explores the pain and necessity of creation when encountering grief and loss.

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Branwell (and the other Brontes): an autobiography edited by Charlotte Bronte

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Branwell (and the other Brontes): an autobiography edited by Charlotte Bronte by Stephen Kaplan
    “

    A marvelous look inside the need to leave behind a legacy through art and the sibling rivalry that takes place in that process. Beautiful, moving work!

    A marvelous look inside the need to leave behind a legacy through art and the sibling rivalry that takes place in that process. Beautiful, moving work!

    ”
  • Daniel Ho: Branwell (and the other Brontes): an autobiography edited by Charlotte Bronte by Stephen Kaplan
    “

    Imaginative and intelligent. A lyrical examination the importance of storytelling, as well as a look an a relatively unknown (at least to me) part of literary history.

    Imaginative and intelligent. A lyrical examination the importance of storytelling, as well as a look an a relatively unknown (at least to me) part of literary history.

    ”
  • Rachael Carnes: Branwell (and the other Brontes): an autobiography edited by Charlotte Bronte by Stephen Kaplan
    “

    A play about history needs to feel fresh and alive, contemporary, current, to work, and Kaplan's magical, magnetic, heartbreaking new take on these staggering literary figures does just that. Whether you're a Brontë-phile or a newcomer to their gothic world, these multi-faceted characters, with their dynamic dialogue, and their story's deeply-felt themes, will draw you in. A shoo-in for colleges and universities, this play seems tailor-made for students to sink their creative teeth into.

    A play about history needs to feel fresh and alive, contemporary, current, to work, and Kaplan's magical, magnetic, heartbreaking new take on these staggering literary figures does just that. Whether you're a Brontë-phile or a newcomer to their gothic world, these multi-faceted characters, with their dynamic dialogue, and their story's deeply-felt themes, will draw you in. A shoo-in for colleges and universities, this play seems tailor-made for students to sink their creative teeth into.

    ”
View all 15 recommendations

Character Information

5 women and 1 man

NOTE on the adult siblings: age-wise they are probably in their late 20s/early 30s, but there is freedom to play here. While technically, they died between the ages of 29-39, this is a mix of a dream/memory play so it'd be interesting to see how age of an actor affects them

NOTE on ALL siblings: though they were originally Caucasian, this is not a history play and there is no reason that they need to either
a) be of the same race or
b) look like each other
c) also, for the two youngest sisters, it is totally fine to go slightly older than the given ages as long as they appear and act younger than the other four
  • Charlotte Brontë
    the ringleader and one who likes to be in charge
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Anne Brontë
    the baby of the family, the peacekeeper
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Emily Brontë
    strident and does not like being bossed around, thinks herself above her siblings
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Branwell Brontë
    lost, desperate to hold his own among his sisters
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Maria Brontë
    originally the eldest Brontë, died years earlier and a ghost – acted as a surrogate mother to her younger brother Branwell, and still cherishes that role
    11
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Elizabeth Brontë
    originally the second eldest Brontë, also died earlier and a ghost – over it all and does not want to be there
    10
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Reading, Writer's Theatre of New Jersey, 2018
  • Workshop, The Blank Theatre Company - Living Room Series, 2018
  • Reading, The Tribe Theater Company, 2017
  • Reading, Point Park University, 2017
  • Reading, Unseen and Unheard - Mason Holdings, 2016

Production History

  • Professional, Loft Ensemble, 2022

Awards