Wuthering Heights
Book, Music and Lyrics by Bernard J. Taylor
Principals : 3m, 4f adult, 1f junior Support :3m, 1f, 2jnr-m, 1jnr-f (plus chorus)
The haunting image of Heathcliff searching the moors for the ghost of his beloved Cathy is one of the enduringly passionate scenes in English literature. This adaptation was recognised by the Brontë Society as the first time that the spirit of this masterpiece has been captured in music. Heathcliff enters the House On The Hill and falls for Cathy, but attracts only hatred from Hindley, her brother.

Synopsis

Mr Earnshaw, father to Cathy and her elder brother Hindley, rescues a poor starving boy from the docks of Liverpool. Heathcliff thus enters the 'House On The Hill', and the wild gypsy boy falls for Cathy, but attracts nothing but hatred from Hindley. Over the years, Cathy and Heathcliff become inseparable as they roam the moors together, but when Mr Earnshaw dies and Hindley becomes master at Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff soon begins to feel the full force of that resentment. He endures the day-to-day difficulties of living under the same roof as Hindley only because of his love for Cathy.

When Cathy is bitten by a dog owned by wealthy Edgar Linton, Heathcliff gets to meet Isabella, Edgar’s sister. She immediately becomes secretly enamoured with him, and during Cathy’s recuperation at Edgar’s house he develops feeling for her. On her return to Wuthering Heights, full of the delights that a wealthy existence brings, she finds her relationship towards Heathcliff has changed; she wants him as a friend, but wants Edgar as a husband. Distraught, Heathcliff storms off onto the moors. Cathy, still in love with Heathcliffe, follows him in order to placate him, but unable to find him she returns, bedridden with a severe chill. Heathcliffe doesn’t return, but decides to travel abroad in an attempt to forget about her.

A number of years pass in which Cathy marries Edgar receiving wealth and power, but is not really in love with him, and she begins to regret the marriage. Meanwhile, Heathcliff decides to return and try and rekindle his bond with her. On the way, quite by chance he meets Hindley at a game of cards and with Hindley drunk and boastful, Heathcliff wins the game and also wins the deeds to Wuthering Heights. Hindley advises Heathcliff that Cathy is now married, which information causes Heathcliff to reconsider his plans. He returns to Wuthering Heights where the roles are now reversed - he is the master and Hindley the tenant. Some years pass until he meets not only Cathy again, but Isabella, who is unmarried. Heathcliff becomes a frequent visitor to the Linton’s house, partly to pursue Isabella, but also to make Cathy jealous. Isabella marries Heathcliff and moves to Wuthering Heights and when Heathcliff’s true intentions are revealed, Hindley unsuccessfully tries to get Isabella to murder him.

The wild moors finally draw Heathcliff and the ailing Cathy together for a final passionate reconciliation before she dies in his arms, returning ghost-like to haunt his memory forever.

Cast Requirements

Principals (3m, 4 f)
Cathy -

Heathcliff -

Nellie -

Older Nellie -

Hindley -

Edgar Linton -

Isabella Linton -

Supporting Roles (3m, 1f, 2jnr-m, 1jnr-f, plus chorus)
Lockwood

Earnshaw - Father to Cathy and Hindley

Young Heathcliff

Young Cathy

Young Hindley

Williams - a butler/manservant

Maid

Chorus - A wide range of roles including minor sung or spoken roles, drawn from the different times and locales.

Songs
ACT ONE
1) Prologue - Orchestra
2) Beyond Understanding - Older Nellie
3) Liverpool - Older Nellie & Chorus
4) Goodbye Ladies - Sailors
5) Wuthering Heights - Earnshaw
6) Summers Of Childhood - Chorus
7) You Were My First Love - Cathy & Heathcliff
8) They Say He’s A Gipsy - Cathy & Chorus
9) How Soon The Winters Come Along - Cathy, Heathcliff, Edgar, Woman, Male Mourner & Chorus
10) Where Is That Boy - Hindley
11) Wuthering Heights - Nellie & Chorus
12) Cathy! - Heathcliff
13) Up Here With You - Heathcliff & Cathy
14) The Life of a Gentleman - Williams, Maid & Servants
15) That Gipsy Boy - Isabella
16) I See A Change In You - Heathcliff & Cathy
17) One Rules My Heart - Cathy & Nellie
18) I Have No Time For Them - Hindley
19) He’s Gone - Cathy
20) Let Her Live / My Vengeance - Chorus, Heathcliff, Crew Members

ACT TWO
21) The Gypsy Waltz - Orchestra
22) Who Shall I Wed? - Isabella, Edgar, Guest, Guests 1 - 5
23) I Belong To The Earth - Cathy
24) Coming Home To You - Heathcliff
25) Gambling Song - Hindley, Gamblers 1 - 4
26) All For Nothing - Heathcliff
27) The Pleasure Of Your Company - Cathy & Edgar
28) I Can’t Believe It’s You - Cathy & Heathcliff
29) I Want To Be With Him - Isabella
30) Don’t Do It! (Reprise) - Edgar, Isabella, Cathy, Heathcliff
31) Take This Gun - Hindley
32) If Only - Isabella
33) Heathcliff’s Lament - Heathcliff
34) How Soon the Winters Come Along (Reprise) - Chorus, Cathy, Boy, Male Mourner, Older Nellie, Edgar & Heathcliff
35) Beyond Understanding - Older Nellie, Chorus & Cathy
37) Up Here With You (Reprise) - Cathy, Heathcliff & Chorus

Production Materials

Perusal Materials on Request
Request any or all of the materials below to help get a feel for the show and if it’s right for you and your group;
Libretto
Piano-vocal Score
Sampler tracks
To request perusal materials contact us.

Rehearsal Materials
The following items are available for purchase when a performance license has been granted;
Digital Master Rehearsal Set (libretto and piano vocal score as PDF for unlimited printing and use by your group, you also get to keep the materials for future productions)
Backing Tracks (for private rehearsal or in performance in lieu of a live band)
Orchestrations (Available as a digital purchase to print for 7 or 9 piece band)
Reed 1 - Flute,
Reed 2 - Oboe
Horn
Trumpet
Keyboard 1
Keyboard 2
Violin (Optional)
Cello (Optional)
Bass

Production Information
This show is available under a variable royalties license by amateur companies at a rate of 20% of box office gross or £100 per performance whichever is the greater. For first and second class productions please contact us.