Shake & Stir Theatre to Bring WUTHERING HEIGHTS to QPAC, 1-18 October

The award winning team at shake & stir theatre co recreate one of the most haunting love stories in all of literature, Wuthering Heights, from 1 to 18 October 2014, in the Cremorne Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).

Brontë's gothic masterpiece storms onto the QPAC stage in a brand new adaptation from the company behind the critically acclaimed productions of George Orwell's Animal Farm and 1984.

shake & stir's Artistic Director, Nick Skubij who is both adapting and directing this new work said the company is always determined to challenge expectations, which is why they chose to tackle Wuthering Heights.

"We selected Wuthering Heights to re-imagine as, with every shake & stir production; we aim to present something very different to our last show.

"In the last 4 years we've gone from Shakespeare, to physical theatre in Animal Farm, to heavy multi-media in 1984, to a kid's show set in a nose and pool of snot, to a brand new Australian play, Tequila Mockingbird, back to our favourite children's author, Roald Dahl and now to Emily Brontë".

"We love the challenge of adapting and presenting much loved classics on the stage, especially one as huge as Wuthering Heights. There is a lot of risk but we are used to that now and don't shy away from it. It's incredibly rewarding to bring these classics to life", said Skubij.

Following the same journey as the original, Wuthering Heights tells the story of when Heathcliff, a mysterious boy who is rescued from the street and brought to Wuthering Heights, where he develops a passionate bond with Cathy Earnshaw and a repulsive distrust of her brother Hindley.

As time passes, Heathcliff and Cathy's relationship deepens to the point of dangerous obsession, until one day, Cathy marries another man. Overcome with jealousy, Heathcliff flees the Heights only to return, years later, ready to exact revenge on those he believed ruined his one chance at happiness.

The cast of Wuthering Heights includes regulars, Ross Balbuziente and Nelle Lee, along with Julian Curtis, Anthony Standish, Melanie Zanetti in the role of Catherine Earnshaw and Gerry Connolly playing the role of narrator Nelly Dean.

"I feel it would not be a shake & stir production if we didn't push the boundaries - this is where renowned actor and comedian Gerry Connolly in the (female) role of Nelly, comes into play", said Nick.

"I've been a huge fan of Gerry Connolly's work since I was a kid and I recently saw him perform in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in Melbourne alongside Geoffrey Rush and shortly after in La Soiree; the man demands attention.

"I knew I wanted to think outside the box and cast a male in the role of Nelly. Although most audiences will know Gerry as a fantastic comedian and impersonator, as a dramatic storyteller he is absolutely, almost hypnotically captivating. We knew he would be a surprising but perfect choice to play the wise and strong housemaid.

"Gerry saw our production of Tequila Mockingbird last year, and he got into contact with the company to tell us how much he enjoyed and appreciated the show, so there is already a lovely mutual respect in this working relationship", concluded Skubij.

Featuring a breathtaking design and a stellar cast, shake & stir invites you to drop by the Heights and settle in for this classic story, retold. Running for a strictly limited season book now via qpac.com.au or call 136 246.

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