4 STARS, June 12-17. Jane Eyre, the highly acclaimed National Theatre production of Charlotte Bronte's story of a woman's fight for self expression and freedom landed down at Richmond Theatre this week, Con Crowley reviews
Brinkhoff/Moegenburg
JANE EYRE UK Tour 2017Royal National Theatre
Originally devised for the Bristol Old Vic by Director Sally Cookson as a two part drama, it was subsequently reworked for a London audience into a 210 minute production at the National which is now doing a UK tour.
Cookson says she became intrigued as child at by Orson Wells' film noir version of the Victorian novel. But she didn't actually read the book until she was in her early 20s when it dawned on her that the film's portrayal of Jane "as a passive female who would do anything for her hunky boss (Rochester)" had missed the point – the story is in fact a clarion cry for human rights and equal opportunities.
Cookson's production certainly emphasises the extraordinary spirit and energy of a woman determined to be unconstrained by the shackles of life. From birth to adulthood Jane strives against all odds to gain power and independence.
The play begins with an elemental cry as Jane (Nadia Clifford) voices the birth-cries of her infant self. Her story moves forward through a series of evolving costumes as her parents and then kindly uncle pass away and the poor orphan Jane is left to the mercies of her unkindly Aunt Reed (Lynda Rooke) and then the pious Mr Brocklehurst (Paul Mundell) headmaster of Lowood School.
Brinkhoff/Moegenburg
JANE EYRE UK Tour 2017Royal National Theatre
A striking set of ladders and platforms create a swift movement through time and space while a live musical ensemble help us through her journey in this part drama part musical production. Certainly the highlight for me was the beautiful voice of Melanie Marshall who was in the original National Theatre performance. She sings her way through the dark and haunting character of Rochester's mad wife Bertha Mason as well as adding other dimensions to the performance with support tracks.
It actually could have done with little more music as even this shortened adapted performance from the Bristol original is nearly three hours long and the interludes were very welcome.
It is hard to fault the acting performances. Clifford is well cast as Jane Eyre who moves from defiant child to headstrong adult who falls madly in love with the rough hewn Tim Delap as Rochester pursued around the set by the scene stealing Ben Cutler as Rochester's dog pilot.
All in all a solid performance that earned the the cast a standing ovation at Richmond. The trouble with standing ovations though is that other less inclined members of the audience have to get up as well if they want to see what is going on with the final bows. Because of its length and the fact that the set would probably work better in a more contemporary theatre I would count myself as one of the less inclined.
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Comments (1)
Comment FeedJane Eyre on Tour
Judith Pringle more than 9 years ago