Arts > Theatre

Jane Eyre

Norwich Theatre Royal

19/07/17

Wow. Just wow.

I first read Jane Eyre at the age of 14. It was by turns terrifying and heart warming, like all the best novels, and has never left me. The opportunity to see this new production created by the National Theatre and the Bristol Old Vic, alongside one of my best friends for whom Jane Eyre is a top favourite was never going to be missed.

The set, a virtual climbing frame created from metal and wood, is very basic, but makes separate rooms and floors in our minds. A white fabric hangs from all three sides of the stage, onto which projections and lights make moods and environments live. There's even real fire on stage twice, which is always kinda thrilling. The cast move around the set constantly, this is an extraordinarily active production, and as far away from stodgy, formal versions as possible. It feel so alive, so vital, so emotional throughout. Their dexterity and the choreography is second to none.

The cast consists of seven people. Seven. I have no idea how you adapt a 38 chapter novel on stage with so few, but bloody hell, they do an incredible job, often changing character within seconds whilst still onstage. Such are their acting skills we believe without question that a hulking man with a beard can be a little girl or a faithful dog and a woman can be both a housemaid and a male lawyer and vicar all in one play. It just works. Paul Mundell as Pilot, the dog - well, all I can say is the work he must have done on observing our canine friends ahead of this role was superb.

A small band plays live at the back of the stage - drum kit, double bass, piano, timpani and voice. They only play on occasion, making the play feel more filmic. Basic frames, candlelight bulbs and dresses fall from the ceiling at different points in the plot - beautifully and subtley done.

Jane Eyre's plot is complex, and it is long. There are several houses and landscapes and many characters to cover, and it's impossible to leave anything out. They don't leave anything out - even if scenes aren't word for word at times, they are suggestable enough for us to understand what's happening fully. 

Nadia Clifford as Jane is perfect. She plays her as exactly the fierce, bright girl I always took her to be, not the meek and quiet version often seen elsewhere. She's a powerhouse and a feminist inspiration even now. The love that grows between the tortured Rochester and Jane onstage almost comes second to how much we all fall for her ourselves.

This version is very much the story of Jane Eyre, as you'd expect. She's pretty much centre stage throughout, and the history of her young life is told in a straight forward manner, always focused on her frustrations and internal battle against an unjust world, and trying to make her life worthwhile. My one and only issue with this incredible performance was with Bertha Mason. The 'madwoman in the attic' that haunted my dreams, made me write essays about Victorian female hysteria whilst I was at uni, the depressed and manic hellwoman that for me is a central character in the book fell rather flat. I appreciate that they tried to represent the fact that we don't know if she was mad, or depressed, or just trapped by Melanie Marshall wearing a red ballgown and standing in various places occasionally singing short pieces with a beautiful voice (including a languid version of Crazy by Gnarls Barkley - didn't see that coming). I understand it's a tricky area. However, there was a lack of genuine terror from Jane with regard to Bertha. In the book, you have to wait for over halfway through until you actually see who has been laughing and making scary noises in the night. It's one of the best moments in literature ever. But this was non existant in this version - we just weren't scared at all, and didn't really care. It was a bit of a shame.

However, it didn't detract from the fact that this is a truly amazing production, of about three hours in length. I felt so lucky to have seen it, and to have had the experience of reaping the rewards of such innovative, creative and brave work by so many people. Deft and energetic, this is a must see.