A BRAND new play starring modern day versions of The Bronte Sisters working in a hair salon is premiering in Bradford.

Created by Ilkley-based writer producer Kirsty Smith and actor director Kat Rose Martin the play tells the story of the sisters rise to fame and will be performed at both Keighley and Bradford college hair salons.

Funded by The Arts Council and The Bronte Society Jane Hair: The Brontes Restyled tells the story of the Brontes path to global fame. Working together in a hairdressers Charlotte, Emily, Anne and Branwell each has their own personal creative project, Emily is a slam poet, Anne writes a blog and Charlotte is working on scripts and screenplays for TV and film.

Keighley born Kirsty Smith now lives in Ilkley and has previously worked as a television producer for The BBC, Channel 4 and ITV she’s partnered with Kat Rose Martin an actor and director from Bierley who has had a busy 2017 touring with Northern Broadsides as well as playing Britain’s first ever female boxer as part of Hull City of Culture.

Audiences will meet the sisters in their salon and have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the actors in this interactive performance. Director Kat Rose Martin said: "Hair salons are the perfect setting to get all the best gossip so if you’ve ever wanted to find out who these women were pop along and make an appointment with Jane Hair."

Victoria Aird Head Of Department said: "We are delighted to be involved with this project we think our hairdressing salon will be the perfect setting for a play celebrating artistic excellence from Keighley."

The play aims to entertain but also introduce new people to the work of the three famous sisters as part of the Bicentenary celebrations. Kirsty explains: "We want to bring The Brontes story to life for people who have never read any of their books and show that you don’t need an A Level in English Literature to appreciate the incredible achievements of these three local women who became world famous."

A spokesperson for Bradford College said: "Bradford College is excited to play a part in this innovative performance." Adding: "It will be a great chance for us to showcase our excellent salon facilities and an opportunity for students from our Northern School of Creative Industries and Bradford School of Art to get involved with another professional production as they did when the BBC drama Gunpowder filmed scenes on our campus."

The play will be performed at Keighley College hair salon on Tuesday, January 23rd and Bradford College on Friday, January 27. Tickets are £12 or £5 for under 25s and can be booked on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jane-hair-tickets-41486346780

Follow the Facebook page for updates on rehearsals and to find out more about the team involved with making the play.