Three continents in one post

We recover today two different Jane Eyre approaches performed last year in the US and the UK. And we finish with an alert from Australia. Three continents in one post.

The Oxford Music Now Magazine (Number 28, Winter 2006) publishes an article about last summer's performances of Michael Berkeley's Jane Eyre opera in Saint Louis, US:

Following on from the Australian premiere in 2005 Michael Berkeley’s opera Jane Eyre received its US premierethis summer in a production stagedby Opera Theater
St Louis. This was in fact a sort of world premiere as at the suggestion of the stage director Colin Graham, the composer turned the original two acts into one with a brief connecting orchestral interlude, that puts the total running time at a short, but intense, 80 minutes. Erhard Rom’s set stuck strictly to the period of the book with high mirrors and a winding staircase leading to the attic that houses the unstable Mrs Rochester. Ghostly images of Thornfield Hall projected on to the set heightened the gothic atmosphere. Kelly Kaduce and Scott Hendricks (whom Graham called a ‘dark, brooding actor’) led a strong cast as Jane and Rochester respectively, whilst members of the St Louis Symphony were conducted by Andreas Mitisek, making his debut with the company.

From the US premiere of an opera to an amateur student performance of a theatrical adaptation (Baylis Court School, Slough, Berkshire, UK). Totally different approaches, both based on Jane Eyre.

Baylis Court pupils took to the stage on 9th and 10th November [2006] in a most moving and authentic production of Jane Eyre. Noorie Naeem as Jane and Renice Miller as Rochester played the star crossed lovers with conviction and panache; Maaria Mahmood as always, was convincing as the wretched 'Bertha'. The cast and crew worked hard, as always, to produce a most professional show that impressed audiences over two nights. The play script was a real challenge as it is a period piece and the elegant Victorian style of language took some getting used to. However, their efforts were very well received. The Mayor of Slough Councillor David McIsaac and the school governors that attended all praised our very talented students. They did us proud once again!!

And now the alert. Today, January 29, in Rockingham, near Perth (Australia).

29 Jan 1000 AM
Literature Group (The Bronte Sisters)
Murdoch Library
Rockingham (University of the Third Age (UWA) Inc)

Categories: Alert, Jane Eyre, Music, Opera, Theatre