“Wuthering Heights is a tale of love and loss that has a very strong connection to a lot of Greek Tragedies which allows for plenty of Drama.” – David Durant, Artistic Director at The Courtyard
Interviewee: David Durant, Artistic Director, The Courtyard
Date: 23rd September 2025
Contact for Syndication: [email protected]
David Durant is directing his sixth pro-am production at The Courtyard this year. Following the success of Secret Garden (2023), Jane Eyre (2022) and Great Expectations (2019) he’s now bringing Cathy and Heathcliff’s explosive story to the stage. This production blends seasoned professional actors and local emerging talent to bring a vibrant and compelling adaptation from Emily Brontë’s classic novel.
Interview Transcript
Q: What made you choose Wuthering Heights for the sixth pro-am?
A: Like many others, I’ve also been fascinated by the story of Wuthering Heights. On the surface it is a bleak tale of love and loss in which our main characters never get what they really want despite trying. It has a very strong connection to a lot of Greek Tragedies and so this allows for plenty of drama. However, if you dig a little deeper you discover characters who have such an intense sense of yearning and desire to love and be loved. This resonated with me as it is something that we all want.
Q: What is it like to work with a mixture of professional and community actors?
A: It’s so much fun. The mix of professional and community actors makes for the most joyful rehearsal process with the opportunity to learn a lot from each other. The professionals bring so much expertise and the community and youth theatre come with grounding and enthusiasm. So, overall, it produces a harmonious cast.
Q: What is the central question or idea that you hope the audience takes with them as they leave the theatre?
A: Ultimately, I hope the audience realise how important it is to take responsibility for our actions and that we can cause so much hurt and pain when we don’t. Cathy and Heathcliff are such fascinating characters because they have such a capacious appetite for life but often fall into the trap of not being grateful for what they have but always thinking the grass is greener when it isn’t.
Q: How has your directing style evolved throughout your career, and what has this production taught you?
A: I’m able to allow things to grow in the rehearsal room and take others’ ideas on board a lot more than I ever used to. I used to think the director had to have all the answers, but experience has taught me how crucial it is to work as a team and the importance of listening to those around you.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of bringing Wuthering Heights to life on stage?
A: All the different playing spaces as the action takes place at both Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange and of course the window scene, but I don’t want to give away too much about that.
- Tell us about a moment or scene in Wuthering Heights that you feel is particularly important or impactful.
A: This is a hard question as there are a lot of powerful scenes and moments. I think overall the moments that stay with me are the scenes between Cathy and Heathcliff, they are so powerful and make you question your own relationships a lot.
- What surprised you most during the rehearsal process for this play?
A: The story is very bleak, and I was expecting to find it hard to bring out any light or shade, but the story is so well written with such excellent characters that it has been much easier to bring out some much-needed humour in unexpected places.
Wuthering Heights will be in The Courtyard’s Main House on Thursday 2 – Saturday 4 at 7.30pm with Saturday and Thursday matinee performances available. To book tickets, or for more information contact the Box Office on 01432 340555 or visit courtyard.org.uk.