Jane Eyre

The director’s notes in the programme cover this well-known Gothic story and there is nothing more I can add to it. I have seen various different versions of it staged as a play and also as a musical. In this production Jane was played by three different women, dependant on the period of her life being depicted.

Jo Stockridge acted as ‘Old’ Jane/narrator and had a well-modulated voice and Lydia Dawes did well as the ‘Young’ Jane.

In the title role Suzi Dawes played a serious, correct young woman who had few expectations but was content to be in the coveted position of working as governess in a large house for a wealthy and austere man. She played the part securely.

Matt Markham had excellent diction as the mysterious, stern Mr Rochester, living with the secrets of his past, and his acting was very good.

Olwen Holme gave a very good perfomance as Bessie and also Fiona Lawrie as Miss Abbott/Mrs Fairfax. Both of these ladies had a Northern accent and played their roles sympathetically.

James Manning was completely natural as the Rev Woods and I’ve noted that the Solicitor had gravitas and presence but am not sure who took that role.

Robert Hardy was particularly good as the cruel and frightening Mr Brocklehurst, and playing the young consumptive Helen Burns, Emma Boyle acquitted herself well.

As Blanche, Florence Hunter’s diction, carriage and acting were first rate- she projected brilliantly.

Sarah Boyle played Mrs Reed with authority and the role of Bertha must have been a taxing one – no lines but more or less non-stop action!

The numerous other members of the cast added to the piece in the varying roles. A couple of the younger women needed help with voice projection and they also spoke very quickly.

I understand that with so many named characters the cast had to double and treble up, however even a slight change in appearance would have helped visually.

This was a real challenge to take on and Vicki Prince as Director had clearly worked very hard to make the play flow naturally and to present the audience with this unusual adaptation of the popular love story. The small stage was used to great effect and became the Yorkshire moors, the school, Thornfield Hall and much more.

The scene was set at the opening with a back projection of the Yorkshire moors and the drapes stage right were made good use of, particularly for the fire which was most realistic. The cast set the varying scenes quickly and quietly. The church scene was a really dramatic one.

The stage set too was very good. I liked the fact that Bertha was on stage and not just an imaginary person out of sight.

The furniture, table linen, suitcase  etc; were all in keeping with the period, excepting the metal tray which would of course have been a wooden one. 

Lighting was good and the sound effects of wind, dog barking etc; were excellent.

There were unfortunately some problems in the costume department, mostly the sizing.

The programme is nicely laid out and I like the inclusion of coloured photographs.

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