FIVE STARS
JANE Eyre is one of the
classics of English Literature. Written almost 170 years ago,
Charlotte Bronte’s story of Jane’s struggle to find happiness,
love, freedom and fulfilment on her own terms is as inspiring as
ever.
Her story has been
re-imagined by director Sally Cookson who has brought it to the
National Theatre after a successful run at the Bristol Old Vic last
year.
It is the most
fascinating, beautiful and fabulous production that charts Jane’s
beginnings as a baby who soon becomes a destitute orphan before
facing her life’s not inconsiderable obstacles head on with an
obstinacy, feistiness and determination that was way ahead of her
time.
Indeed her story feels
fresh and very much current thanks to this brilliant production which
is staged on wooden structure made up of a series of ladders,
platforms and walkways.
Jane survives poverty,
beatings, injustice and a lack of love as well as losing her best
friend Helen Burns to TB – indeed the scene in which Helen dies was
heartbreakingly sad and I am sure I wasn’t the only one fighting
back tears.
Madeleine Worrall is
astonishing as Jane. It is such a tour de force and an exhilarating
performance that takes the audience on such an incredible journey you
hardly notice that it's actually three and a half hours long.
She is joined by a
small but fabulous cast who take on multiple roles. Laura Elphinstone
takes on five of them including Jane’s best friend Helen, Felix
Hayes’s Rochester, is suitably gruff and there is a hilarious turn
by Craig Edwards as Rochester's dog Pilot.
The portrayal of
Rochester's mad wife Bertha is given to Melanie Marshall who sings
the part.
This is an inventive,
intelligent, poignant and often funny production which, despite a
significant pruning, does the original story justice.
Jane Eyre is on at the
National Theatre, South Bank until January 10. Tickets cost from £15.
Visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk or call the box office on 020 7452
3000.
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