Jane Eyre in Bingley and Sleaford

Two new amateur productions of Jane Eyre open in the UK today March 30 and next Wednesday, April 1:

1. In Bingley, West Yorkshire:

The Bingley Little Theatre presents

Jane Eyre, adapted by Charles Vance
Mar 30-Apr 4, 7.30pm

This adaptation faithfully conveys the exceptional emotional power of the original novel. Focusing on the love story between Jane and Rochester, the play begins as Jane arrives in 1846 to act as governess to Rochester’s ward at Thornfield Hall, a place of mystery and fear. This version is a must for the romantics among us, and the lovers of good classic novels will not be disappointed.

Directed by: Jan Darnbrough, Sponsored by: Sponsored by Peter and Audrey Flesher

The Telegraph & Argus gives more information and several pictures (Picture source):

The classic Charlotte Bronte novel Jane Eyre is brought to the stage later this month by Bingley Little Theatre.
Performances take place during the anniversary week of Charlotte's death and burial in 1855. (...)
The production of a well-known Charles Vance adaptation is directed by leading BLT member Jan Darnbrough.
She has acted and directed for almost 30 years with the society, as well as performing for Keighley Playhouse and in many local musicals.
Jan said: "To adapt the whole story of Jane Eyre for the stage would be an impossible task.
Charles Vance has therefore chosen to focus on the love story between Jane and Rochester.
"He has produced an adaptation which remains faithful to the text, even incorporating some of the words Charlotte wrote."
Playing the title role, and making her debut with the Bingley theatre group, is Sally Edwards.
Sally has been a tutor with BLT's youth drama group Kaleidoscope since September 2007. She also writes plays for children and runs drama workshops throughout the area.
Also making her BLT debut is Michaela Morris who plays both Bertha and Blanche Ingram.
Playing Rochester is Jason Evens, an Edinburgh Fringe performer who last appeared with BLT last June.
The large cast includes Bingley regulars Marilyn Baines, Ian Atkinson, Stephen Mason, Vicky Bandy, Helen Clarke, David Elliott and Alice Smithson. Jane Eyre ones from March 30-April 4 at 7.30pm in Bingley Ascot Centre.
Tickets cost £7 (concessions £6) from 01274 432000, or from Keighley town. (David Knights)

2. In Sleaford, Lincolnshire an original adaptation by Sue Robey of Jane Eyre:

The Sleaford Little Theatre presents

Jane Eyre, adapted by Sue Robey
Directed by Sue Robey

Wednesday 1st to Saturday 4th April 2009 7.30 pm

More information can be read in The Sleaford Standard:

SLEAFORD Little Theatre group will be joined by their youth section for the forthcoming spring production of the Charlotte Bronte classic, Jane Eyre.

This brooding story featuring the life of orphaned Jane Eyre from a very young age through to adulthood has been adapted for the Sleaford stage by Little Theatre member Sue Robey. Sue has also produced directed and costumed the period show which follows Jane through her childhood, her deposit to Lowood School together with tyrannical headmaster and subsequent meeting of Mr Rochester where she eventually finds the warmth and attention she has missed out on all her life. (...)
Mrs Robey is no newcomer to adapting a good classic as she re-worked Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol for Sleaford Little Theatre which was a huge box office hit in December 2003.
Performances for Jane Eyre at The Playhouse, Westgate, Sleaford will be on April 1-4 at 7.30pm.
The box office will be the Tourist Information Centre, Moneys Yard, Sleaford. Tickets are priced £5.50 for stalls and £6.50 for gallery (£1 off for concessions). Telephone bookings can be made on 01529 414294.

More pictures of the rehearsals can be seen here.
(Picture: Sleaford Little theatre in rehearsals at St Denys' Church for their forthcoming production of Jane Eyre at Sleaford Playhouse. From left - Jane Webster, Karen Davey and Charlotte Shearsby. Source)

Categories: Jane Eyre, Theatre