Richmond Theatre 12 – 17 June, touring UK to September. Reviewed by Claire Roderick
It’s 170 years since Jayne Eyre was published, but Charlotte Brontë’s novel still strikes a chord today with its wonderfully strong-minded and independent heroine. While most adaptations rush through Jane’s early years to get to the love story, this Bristol Old Vic/National Theatre production takes it time, with most of Act one showing the events that mould Jane’s character in delightful detail, dealing with the social and gender issues that the novel highlighted.
Michael Vale’s set design seems incongruous before the show starts, all wooden planks and frames, and lots of ladders. As soon as the cast start moving around, the design makes perfect sense, with the cast constant circling around the platforms and changing levels adding to the momentum of the play. A three-piece band is tucked under one of the platforms playing quirky and haunting music that accompanies the story perfectly. Melanie Marshall is a constant melancholy presence onstage as Bertha, with her magnificent voice providing an extra emotional punch to scenes with some traditional and modern songs. Her mellow rendition of Gnarls Barkley’s Crazy as she burns down Thornfield Hall is spectacularly spine-tingling.
Nadia Clifford plays Jane with enough pent-up energy to light the national grid. She is equally impressive playing the frustrated 10-year-old as she is playing the adult Jane, and makes Jane instantly likeable and sympathetic. Her relationship with Tim Delap’s Rochester doesn’t really have much stage time, but the pair create a powerful picture of love and mutual respect quickly and convincingly without the need for further dialogue. Hannah Bristow, Evelyn Miller, Paul Mundell and Linda Rooke take on a variety of roles and excel in them all. Mundell brought the house down every time he came onstage as Rochester’s dog. Pilot, using no costume but a leather strap as his tail. (I know that sounds slightly naff, but it REALLY works – he’s fantastic!)
Director Sally Cookson has done a fine job squeezing the original two shows into one. Three hours may sound lengthy, but everything that’s left is necessary to the storytelling. The mix of music and movement builds an infectious energy that makes the quieter, still passages even more moving.
You may think you know the story of Jane Eyre, but this production, with its wild, brave energy, brilliant performances and glorious heroine will have something new for you to discover. This adaptation is essential viewing.
National Tour Dates:
19 – 24 June Marlow Theatre, Canterbury
26 June – 1 July Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
3 – 8 July Theatre Royal, Newcastle
10 – 15 July Milton Keynes Theatre
17 – 22 July Norwich Theatre Royal
24 – 29 July Theatre Royal, Brighton
31 July – 5 August Grand Theatre, Leeds
28 August – 2 September His Majesty’s, Aberdeen
4 – 16 September Repertory Theatre, Birmingham