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A brand-new adaptation of Wuthering Heights is set to land at ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Arts Centre in May – and Coventry’s local community plays a key part. We caught up with Becca Randle, the Arts Centre’s Audience Development Officer, to learn more… 

¹û¶³´«Ã½ Arts Centre is set to host adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights from Tuesday 16 to Thursday 18 May. Can you tell us a bit about the show and what audiences can expect? 

On Tuesday 16 May, ³Ù³ó±ð°ù±ð’s a pre-show community performance – what will this involve? 

"We wanted to celebrate our local community’s creativity and talent. At the 16 May pre-show event, which is free and open to everyone, ·É±ð’l±ô be proud to showcase performances and artistic expressions from members of the , a Coventry-based mental health organisation that provides a safe space for BME communities. Also performing will be the (CARAG), a local community group made up of asylum seekers and refugees.  
 
Nyasha Daley, a Coventry-based artist and producer, worked with these groups on a journey of self-expression – ³Ù³ó±ð²â’l±ô be bringing everything from music to spoken word, exploring themes of love, power, identity and belonging through the eyes of Heathcliff."

Community is often at the heart of Arts Centre events and performances – can you tell us more about this focus? 

"¹û¶³´«Ã½ Arts Centre aims to bring people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds together through creativity and to build a sense of belonging in our spaces. Our approach places artists and audiences at the centre of our programme, encouraging curiosity, platforming ideas and celebrating engagement across the artforms. We want to discover, inspire, nurture, support and engage the next generation of artists and audiences, and to embed ¹û¶³´«Ã½ Arts Centre in our community. 

We believe that the power of creativity is transformative and empowering. We know that art and culture make a difference in peoples’ lives. They enable us to understand the world we live in; to learn about big ideas, different cultures, history, and belief; to have critical discussion and debate; to look at the world through the eyes and experiences of others; to be creatively empowered, learn new skills and increase our wellbeing. All of these elements are essential in the current time and context we live in. The arts are more essential now than ever."

For Wuthering Heights mega-fans, is there an opportunity to find out more about the enduring appeal of this classic novel? 

"Absolutely – on Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 May, ·É±ð’l±ô be hosting two post-show panel discussions. These will be a perfect chance for die-hard fans and curious newcomers to really drill down into extra layers of detail.  

The first panel (16 May) will focus on the enduring appeal of classic literature, exploring why Wuthering Heights still retains its hold on popular culture. 
The second panel (17 May) is all about the politics and psychology of Wuthering Heights – touching especially on how it resonates with current debates around social inclusion, displacement, and extremist behaviour."

Finally, what other Arts Centre performances can staff look forward to in the coming months? What are you most excited for?