Bronte Soars?

William Russell previews a new Bronte rock musical

To the old Welsh Chapel in Charing Cross Road on July 30 to the launch party for a new rock musical about the Bronte sisters which opens at Southwark Playhouse in September. The cast is led by Natasha Barnes as Charlotte, the book and lyrics are by Carl Miller and the music is by Christopher Ash. The cast performed a couple of numbers and since it was Emily Bronte’s birthday there was a splendid cake and readings from her works. The director is a Adam Lenson, who did a good job on The Rink at Southwark earlier this year so it may all prove wonderful although the thought of Charlotte, Emily and Anne rocking on the moors is a daunting prospect. However until the show opens one cannot know and it was an inspired idea to launch it in the Chapel which is splendidly decayed and has not been a place of worship for years. But whoever decided to call the show Wasted could be tempting fate. If it isn’t wonderful the word that springs to mind straight away is Opportunity. Then Time. Or Chances…….Whatever we are promised this will be the Brontes as we have never seen them before.