A famous writer hiding behind the curtain, a mysterious lady in a portrait and a female author stepping beyond her limits while her scholarly husband makes kites. Pen Portraits is a new series of dramatic monologues in which the original portraits of Elizabeth, William and Margaret Gaskell and Charlotte Brontë come to life through the reading of their imaginary letters. A wonderful night of promenade theatre by costumed readers about the lives of the Gaskell circle, performed in the period rooms at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House.

‘It was perfect – well written, well delivered and very entertaining.’ Visitor to a previous event by Philip Watts

Outside the Frame Elizabeth Gaskell Performed by Lesley Burn

A Folded Newspaper William Gaskell Performed by Mike Lennox

Behind the Curtain Charlotte Bronte Performed by Pauline Eyre

The Lady of a Portrait Margaret Gaskell Performed by Diana Ashcroft