Jane Eyre in Ilkley and more

Some days ago, the Ilkley Playhouse performed Polly Teale's Jane Eyre in Cumbria. Now, the company will be in their own city (Ilkley, West Yorkshire) for a brief season. As published in the Wharfedale & Airedale Observer:

The next production at Ilkley Playhouse is Jane Eyre' adapted by Polly Teale from the novel by Charlotte Bronte. It will be showing in the Wildman Studio from May 12-17 at 7.30pm each evening.
This interesting interpretation of Charlotte Bronte's classic novel will appeal both to those who are familiar with the story, as well as those who are coming to it for the first time.
Shared Experience Theatre Company staged this production originally in 1997 when it received wide critical and audience acclaim.
Writer Polly Teale has focussed on the two distinct sides to Jane Eyre's character: she is a calm, polite young Victorian woman who acts at all times in the manner expected of her, while underlying all this is a person who is passionate, sensual and, at times, angry. Director George Ritichie explains: "Polly Teale makes the confrontation between Jane and Rochester's secret wife, Bertha, as central to the story as that between Jane and her love Rochester. In doing so, Teale has twinned' Jane, making her two people - one composed, quiet, appropriate, conventional; a young woman who represses her desire, hunger, longing and rage, the other wild, violent, rebellious, engulfed in flame."
Director George Ritchie has Steve Mason as his assistant. Music has been composed by Paul Woodhouse and movement and dance is by Lisa Debney The cast is: Nikki Mason,Mervyn Button, Claire Seddo, Dick Hebbert, Ellen Shorrock, Nick Pennington, Yvette Huddleston, Carol Butler, Abigail Hilditch,Felicity Woodhouse, Kiera Benson and Tim Mutton.
Tickets are £7.50 and £6.50 concessions on Monday night only. To book, contact the Box Office on 01943 609539. (Rachel O'Connor)

And in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, a new performance of Jane Eyre: The Well Dressed Governess:

Monday 12th May 9.30am - 4.00pm
£5 per person
Mercer Art Gallery
Costume talk with Gillian Stapleton, from Century Adventures Historical Wardrobe.
Using exquisite replica costume and lovely original items Gillian will examine Jane Eyre's wardrobe throughout her fictional life from charity schoolgirl to governess to bride.

In the picture: Gillian Stapleton as Jane Eyre in Replica costume. Source.

Categories: Alert, Jane Eyre, Talks, Theatre