★★★

Chapterhouse Theatre Company is touring with this open-air production of Emily Bronte’s enduring love story set on the Yorkshire moors.

The fraught and despairing protagonists, Cathy and Heathcliff, suited the wild, rugged arena in which they played out their tumultuous, lingering love story.

The natural setting could perhaps have been used to greater effect, however, as the performers simply ran around the small set which was supposed to represent the moors.

It was a beautiful evening with a good turn-out for the production, which meant that the voices of the eight performers only just carried to the back and were sometimes a bit shouty. It was also difficult to make out the character’s features and expressions in the fading light.

The second half saw the dramatic tension greatly increase as the two feuding families clashed. The quiet Edgar Linton was unable to compete with his dying wife Cathy’s passion for Heathcliff to whom she declared “I want to be with you and only you”.

Adapted by Laura Turner, the character flaws and nastiness of the egotistical protagonists were well presented as they set up their own inevitable downfalls.

Fitting music, which complemented the tragi-romantic theme, was provided by violinist Hannah Dale.