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 Candace Campbell

Behind the Curtain       Charlotte Brontë          Performed by Lizzie Gent

The Lady of a Portrait  Margaret Gaskell          Performed by Diana Ashcroft

Doors open 6.15