Jane Eyre Review
A fantastic, powerful and energetic production of Jane Eyre has returned to the National Theatre, following a critically acclaimed season at the National Theatre and a UK tour. Jane Eyre is based on the novel of the same name by Charlotte Bronte. Published in 1847 it tells the story of a young girl who does not receive any love or kindness. She is sent to boarding school where she is also given unjust punishments. Eventually she becomes a teacher at the school and then, determined to spread her wings, a governess. Here she meets Mr Rochester but he is hiding a dark, dangerous secret which presents an obstacle towards their love for each other. However, the story is so much more than a love-story: it is a tale of heartbreak, anger, oppression, social injustice, feminism, the longing for liberty, and the struggle between our head and our hearts.
Nadia Clifford and Tim Delap play the determined and strong-willed Jane and conflicted, tormented Rochester perfectly. Hannah Bristow, Evelyn Miller, Paul Mundell and Lynda Rooke play various speaking and non-speaking roles irrespective of age, gender or race.The audience was delighted with Mundell’s performance as Pilot (Rochester’s dog).Theatrical devices such as the actors playing the voices of Jane’s conscience are well-done throughout to show Jane’s progression to a young lady seeking liberty in the 1800s.
Music is a massive part of this production with the band (Matthew Churcher, Alex Heane and David Ridley) being situated on stage. The music conveys a powerful sense of energy, movement, love and passion. Folk music with accordion, guitar and bass is used throughout and at times the music is fast-paced and fun, or sorrowful to convey the situation or feelings of the characters. The musicians even become the actors with these three joining in to be the schoolgirls at the boarding school.
Melanie Marshall sings beautifully throughout the production and at first appears like an observer circling the action. However, it soon becomes apparent she is Bertha Mason (Rochester’s wife).Noël Coward’s ‘Mad About The Boy’ and Gnarls Barkley’s ‘Crazy’ lyrics are able to illustrate her character’s mental and emotional state.
The set is a very basic: a climbing structure with raised wooden platforms, a ramp and metal ladders. The actors moved hand-held lamps and some small furniture around the convey the different settings, and indeed the actors became part of the set ‘walls’ at times. Light effects are used on the plain white backdrop- red to convey the red room where Jane is placed by her aunt, grey for rain and bleakness, and pink tinges for hope renewed. Flames and broken timber structures convey the fire that ravages Thornfield (Rochester’s home). Even the costume changes were minimal with the female cast mostly wearing the same dress but using items such as shawls and caps to demonstrate a change in their character, and indeed Jane only changed a few times to convey change from school girl to teacher to bride-to-be. These techniques are very effective as they enabled the audience’s attention to be on the acting and themes rather than the period sets.
This production superbly conveys the fire, energy, intensity and passion of the novel. At a run time of 3 hours and 5 minutes the production holds the audiences focus. This production is a collaboration between the National Theatre and Bristol Old Vic. It is directed by Sally Cookson.
Jane Eyre is only performing at the National Theatre until 21 October, so hurry to get your tickets to this outstanding adaptation of a classic favourite.
Address:
Lyttelton Theatre
National Theatre
Upper Ground
South Bank
London
SE1 9PX
Website: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/jane-eyre
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Written by Caitlin Neal