Underdog: The Other Other Brontë

by Sarah Gordon

Charlotte Brontë has a confession about how one sister became an idol, and the other became known as the third sister. You know the one. No, not that one. The other, other one… Anne.

This is not a story about well-behaved women. This is a story about the power of words. It’s about sisters and sisterhood, love and jealousy, support and competition.

Sarah Gordon’s new play is an irreverent retelling of the life and legend of the Brontë sisters, and the story of the sibling power dynamics that shaped their uneven rise to fame.

Genres: Plays

Paperback

First published January 1, 2024

Reviews

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an audacious premise, and playwright Gordon almost gets away with it: retell the already oft-told tale of the Brontes, using 21 C. vernacular and attitudes. I am sure many Bronte fans would clutch their pearls in horror, esp. from the perhaps overuse of the F-word - but it does make the story take on new overtones and relevance. Title is a bit of a misnomer, since it refers to Anne, but as in most versions of the history, it's Charlotte who muscles her way center stage.

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/202...
https://www.timeout.com/london/theatr...
https://inews.co.uk/culture/arts/unde...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edObR...

[emily!! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Performing as Emily 🤍

[Illiterate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gordon on: (i) writers and society; (ii) competitive ambition within/against feminist sisterhood.

[Tweedledum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blown away by this play performed by Northern Stage and now viewable via national theatre subscription. Reading the play adds another dimension. I’ve been fascinated by the Brontë sisters since first discovering Jane Eyre and have also visited the Parsonage museum many times but this play really revealed the sisters as real people, potentially vying with each other for recognition, understanding, attention outside their hothouse insular world. Sarah Gordon has used her powerful imagination to infuse the family with new and vibrant life.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was SO good! i loved the way it was modern, and was genuinely really funny but intelligently done. & i LOVE plays that really teach u about something / give you an insight. the last few pages were sssooo so clever too!

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating read. Loved the contemporary retelling. Lots of good scenes and a couple of good monologues. Would love to see it live.

[Sarah Stoppard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting a heart-warming story of sisters working together to overcome the odds of publishing in a masculine dominated industry, boy was I wrong.
I think the fact that this play is based on real life relationships and gritty reality of hard situations makes it so much sadder to get through. Throughout you can understand each character's thought processes and how they try so hard on their course only to fail. The unjustness of Charlotte's actions towards Anne are greatly exaggerated by their continued impact that has lasted until today.
The main takeaway from this should be that family is so much more important than fame and 'being in the room' because that is where happiness lies.

[Daisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quality Rating: Five Stars
Enjoyment Rating: Five Stars

I loved watching this production at the National Theatre, and reading the script sent me straight back into the experience - that’s a tough thing to do! The Brontë have been reimagined to death, which is the very subject and playfulness of Sarah Gordon’s comedy drama. Following Charlotte though focusing very much on Anne and their relationship, it’s a fun and thoughtful exploration of a story told so many times, in so many ways.

[Kindle Addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading 4 novels by the Brontë sisters so far this year I was so happy to be able to get a copy of this (while waiting for it to be screened in cinema or on the NTL website)
It was so good, a new favourite for me!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovrf it!
I wanted to see this play but couldn't get a ticket. Got me looking at the myths surrounding the Brontes in a different way. Liked how the language was modern and raw!

[Rhonda Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would say it was more like 3.8, took me a bit to get into it. It wasn't fully what I expected but Act 2 really pulled me in

[Kayla chungg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this play, I wouldn't say that I was in love with it. The play touches on sisterhood, competition, and being a woman in a world built for men. This play is filled with hilarious quips and some touching monologues however, I almost wish this play was longer and the thoughts that were touched upon were explored a bit longer.