National Theatre's JANE EYRE UK Tour to Stop at The Marlowe This June

The National Theatre's energetic and imaginative new adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre comes to The Marlowe Theatre next month.

This highly-acclaimed stage version of the classic novel (which was written 170 years ago this year) was originally presented in two parts at Bristol Old Vic, and then transferred to the National Theatre (NT), re-imagined as a single performance. It played to sold-out houses at the NT's Lyttelton Theatre.

Charlotte Brontë's story of the trailblazing Jane is as inspiring as ever. This bold and dynamic production tells the story of one woman's fight for freedom and fulfilment. From her beginnings as a destitute orphan, Jane Eyre's spirited heroine faces life's obstacles head-on, surviving poverty, injustice and the discovery of bitter betrayal before taking the ultimate decision to follow her heart.

Jane Eyre director Sally Cookson said: "Adapting a novel for the stage is a challenging prospect - especially when that novel is cited as many people's favourite of all time. It is always daunting when you're working on a story which everyone knows so well, because you want to surprise and maybe challenge people's expectations, without losing any of the things which make them like the story in the first place.

"I chose this particular title because it's a story that I love and have enjoyed a close relationship with ever since I was intrigued, as a child, by Orson Welles' black and white melodrama with fabulous music by Bernard Herrmann."

Sally continued: "I didn't actually read the novel until I was in my early twenties and I remember thinking while I read it: 'this is a clarion cry for equal opportunities for women, not a story about a passive female who will do anything for her hunky boss'. I was struck by how modern Jane seemed - her spirit and strong will, her peculiar and brilliant mind striving for personal freedom to be who she is, lashing out against any constraint that prevents her from being herself. She was exactly the sort of person I wanted to be."

Sally is an associate artist of Bristol Old Vic, where her productions include Treasure Island and Peter Pan; and elsewhere, Boing! (Sadler's Wells), Cinderella (St James Theatre), an adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson's Hetty Feather (West End and UK tour), and Romeo and Juliet (Rose Theatre, Kingston).

Nadia Clifford takes the central role of Jane Eyre. Manchester born and bred, she previously appeared at the NT in Alistair McDowell's sell-out production of Pomona. Tim Delap makes his NT debut as Rochester.

They are joined by Hannah Bristow (Helen Burns/Adele/St John/Grace Poole/Abbot), Matthew Churcher (Musician), Alex Heane (Musician), Melanie Marshall (Bertha Mason), Paul Mundell (Mr Brocklehurst/Pilot/Mason), David Ridley (musician), Evelyn Miller (Bessie/Blanche Ingram/Diana) and Lynda Rook (Mrs Reed/Mrs Fairfax). The cast is completed by Ben Cutler, Jenny Johns, Dami Olukoya, Francesca Tomlinson and Phoebe Vigor.

Jane Eyre is at The Marlowe Theatre from Monday 19 to Saturday 24 June, with performances at 7pm and 2pm (Thursday and Saturday). Tickets, priced from £18.75 to £39.75 (concessions available), are from the Box Office on 01227 787787, and marlowtheatre.com. There will be British Sign Language-interpreted and Stagetext captioned performances; see the website for details.

Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan

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