New look for classic Jane Eyre at Storyhouse

Under the banner of its Storyhouse Originals series, Chester arts centre Storyhouse has announced a new adaptation of Charlotte Bronte classic Jane Eyre as part of its autumn season (November 10-12).

The play will be directed by 2025 Sir Peter Hall up-and coming-director award winner, Lily Dyble, who said: “Jane Eyre reminds us of the risk and enormity of love, but also how uncertainty can breed hope as well as fear; that we can choose to fiercely love each other and ourselves, even within chaos."

Orphaned as a young girl, the passionate and sensitive Jane Eyre longs to escape the clutches of her cruel aunt. Freedom beckons when she is offered the job of governess in the house of the brooding and secretive Mr Rochester. When the truth finally comes out, she is forced to choose between the man she wants, and the woman she wants to be.

Jane Eyre is a co-production between Storyhouse, the Mercury Theatre in Colchester and Kingston-on-Thames' Rose Theatre, and is supported by a grant from the Royal Theatrical Support Trust.

The annual RTST Sir Peter Hall director award provides a young director with a first-time, career break- through opportunity to originate and direct a fully-funded production as part of a main season at a leading regional UK theatre, and to tour to similar venues. Storyhouse was on the panel of the 2025 awards.

Storyhouse's head of producing, Helen Redcliffe, said: "One of the key themes of Jane Eyre is personal discovery and development, which feels especially fitting as we celebrate the award and its commitment to championing the next generation of theatre-makers. We are thrilled to be part of this partnership and to support Lily as she takes this exciting step in her career."

More info and tickets here