Jane Eyre
Charlotte Bronte, adapted by Sally Cookson, Mike Akers
Storyhouse, Mercury Colchester, Rose Theatre Kingston, Northern Stage
Storyhouse, Chester
November 19-21, 2026; 2 hrs 30 mins
Sally Cookson’s and Mike Aker’s adaptation of Charlotte Brontes novel Jane Eyre stays true to the original, avoiding the temptation to tinker with the storyline as happens so often with other classics. And what a story it is, attracting devotion and dividing opinion as to whether you prefer Charlottes’ Jane or her sister Emily’s Wuthering Heights.
The story of Jane Eyre is iconic for a reason. It is set in Victorian times when women were expected to be demure and accepting of their role. Despite being bookish, Jane is intelligent, opinionated, outspoken and resourceful, surviving an abusive childhood, learning to flourish in a cruel school institution both as pupil and teacher before accepting a role as governess in Thornfield Hall. There she meets the master, Edward Rochester and one of literature's great love stories unfolds.
Throughout, Jane maintains her principles and integrity, even when the hidden secrets of the hall - especially that of Rochester's first and now insane wife - are uncovered. Unlike her sister's novel, there is a conventional, happy ending.
The show needs a strong performance from Jane and this is provided admirably by Olivia Marcus (especially after the previous night's illness, when the show had to be cancelled). She is ably supported by a well-drilled cast, despite a couple of people being difficult to hear. Kate Kordel is vibrant in her two contrasting roles as the caustic Aunt Reed and the slightly harassed Mrs Fairfax. Gabriel Akuwudike is suitably brooding as Rochester.
The set is simple - a set of stairs that could be seen as coming from a childhood house, a school or a stately home - used cleverly though, rotated to give the illusion that Thornfield House has an annex no one may enter. The use of flame at the sides of the steps, to replicate the blaze that destroys the hall, is also imaginatively (and safely) done.
The story of Jane Eyre needs to be retold. It has inspired generations of women - and men, for that matter - to realise they shouldn't settle for second best, or to be content to accept a role that traps and limits their ambition. But such a detailed, descriptive novel is hard to replicate on stage, and while this production holds the attention of the audience throughout, it helps if a viewer has a working knowledge of the story beforehand.
This production of Jane Eyre is absorbing and draws out really well the stark treatment and difficult choices Jane encounters. It leaves an uncomfortable impression that what happens to her - and by extension, other people - needs to change. That, after all, is a reason we love theatre: to be entertained, of course, but also to be provoked and challenged.
More info and tickets here
