Glasstown, the first
stage play written by Australian Noel Robinson, is about the
Brontė family and the play takes its name from the imaginary
world they invented as children. The story covers a year in the
family’s life at Haworth parsonage during which Branwell, the
only son and bright hope, self-destructs while the three sisters
emerge stronger, their experiences influencing the writing of
the novels that made the Brontė name famous.
The production received
its world premier at the Arts Theatre, Cambridge, with Anne
taking the lead role of Charlotte Brontė. Two other popular
television actors also appeared: Robert Powell (Doomwatch) as
Branwell and Angela Down (Take Three Girls, War and Peace) as
sister Emily.
Publicity for the new play
© Cambridge Evening
News
13 April 1973
This is what Anne had to
say about her role:
“Charlotte is a very
complex part - there are so many facets to the character,” said
Anne. “Also, when you are trying to play someone who was a real
person - and someone much more brilliant than yourself - it
presents problems.”
Anne admitted this is
one of the most challenging parts she’s ever tackled ….
“Although every new role you play becomes your most challenging
at the time.”
Glasstown at the Wyvern
© Evening
Advertiser, Swindon
12 May 1973
Glasstown ran for a week
at most venues, with six evening and two afternoon performances.
Click on each town below to read reviews from the local papers;
there is also a review from trade publication The Stage for
Cambridge.
Some of the papers
included interviews with one or more of the cast, including
Anne. Click below to go to the Interviews and Articles section
to read an interview given during the tour in which Anne gave
her reasons for leaving The Onedin Line.
Glasstown interview
As well as the
newspaper articles, Anne was interviewed on local television
station HTV Wales & West whilst in Swindon, and probably
undertook some radio interviews elsewhere about the play.
After a ten week tour,
Glasstown transferred to the Westminster Theatre in London where
it had forty-seven performances, finally closing on 11 August.
Theatre Programme
London reviews
As can be seen,
Glasstown and Anne’s performance were extremely well received,
with the production breaking box office records in Cambridge,
where it played to capacity houses at every performance; it did
similarly in other towns.
London
Reviews
DR, June 2005
Copyright DiMar