Review: Jane Eyre at Northern Stage, Newcastle
A bold production is retelling Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre in an exciting new way
Nearly two centuries after its was written, Jane Eyre remains a haunting and gripping tale of a woman’s fight for the life she deserves and the love she longs for.
This take on the classic is mesmerising from the outset. Dry ice alludes to a northern mist over a revolving staircase which acts as our stage, and boxes become seats which become speakers to amplify Jane’s inner thoughts.
The cast are pushed to their limits in this fast-paced production, where all but Jane (Olivia Marcus) switch between numerous characters as we’re thrown between the home of her cruel aunt, Lowood Institution and Thornfield Hall. They clamber, run and barge their way up and down the staircase, but never lose the ability to convey emotion.
Whilst simple, the staging is brilliantly effective and especially exciting in act two when the staircase revolves to reveal the truth behind Edward Rochester’s secrecy, and the heat of flames make our faces flush. Spotlights, sound effects and folk-style songs make this stage show feel genuinely cinematic.
Such a deliberately pared-back set leaves this cast exposed but they appear to revel in the challenge, with Olivia playing both a convincingly innocent child and a courageous yet tormented adult. Gabriel Akuwudike is a commanding Edward Rochester and Andrea Gatchalian is a standout in her dual role, with her portrayal of French child Adele adding some much-needed humour to the darkness.
An atmospheric and modern take on a classic, you won’t want to miss this.
