Do you enjoy watching thrillers? Do you enjoy that feeling of being on the edge of your seat? That feeling where you want to hide behind your hands but look at the same time? Well Jane Eyre is perfect for you! It was an adaptation of the original novel by the English writer, Charlotte Brontë, originally published in 1847. Jane Eyre was performed in the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre by the Blackeyed Theatre Company. Jane Eyre offers a variety of genres, including thriller, romance, and some comedy to lighten the mood. With a five player cast, the play felt both tense and exciting.
Jane Eyre is about the life of a young woman who starts out with a rough childhood, living with her Aunt and Cousins at Gateshead Hall. From a young age Jane was told and reminded that she was worthless. When Jane gets older she becomes a Governess for a young girl called Adele at Thornfield House. Thornfield House is owned by Mr Rochester, and the house keeper there is Mrs Fairfax. When Jane first arrives, she hears noises up in the attic, however she soon learns from Mr Rochester and Mrs Fairfax that there is a worker there called Grace Poole. You can tell early on that the noises in the attic are bothering Jane, however due to her curious character she tries to investigate. While trying to find out more about Grace Poole, her and Rochester become closer, until they eventually fall in love. This storyline keeps the play light hearted, until the audience finds out that the wedding doesn't go to plan....
With the plot twist near the end, the story turns from a warming, romantic play into a thriller. This excites the audience as it is something different and the change in direction keeps the audience captivated throughout.
The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre is not an extremely large theatre, although modern. This is effective, as it makes everything more tense. The actors used very clever technqiues and physical theatre to convey their emotions. This includes turning a stairway into a horse and carriage, and turning benches into doors. Using simple things like this had an even bigger impact on the audience, this is because of the creative thinking behind it. Having a five person cast must have been challenging to convey the story, however proved to be a very powerful portrayal of this classic.
Mercedes, a member of the audience, said 'I thought that the production team used really good props and physical theatre to merge the scenes together, I also thought that the team did really well to try and match the play to the book'.
The blackeyed Theatre Company are touring around the UK during 2020, make sure you are not the one to miss out on this outstanding show.
Katie Sumner, Notre Dame School.
