Jane Eyre in China and Wuthering Heights in Llandudno

Further news on the Chinese theatre adaptation of Jane Eyre As both China Daily and CCTV report:

The theme posters of NCPC's first original drama production "Jane Eyre" are released Wednesday at a press conference in the National Centre of Performing Arts (NCPC) on June 10, 2009. Lead cast members of "Jane Eyre" performed the "wedding scene" during the press conference. Actress Yuan Quan and actor Wang Luoyong star as Jane Eyre, Rochester in the drama. [Photo: ent.sina.com.cn]

Both sources show six pictures: two promotional posters and four photographs taken at the press-conference-cum-wedding-scene. Well worth a look.

Beijing Today carries a longer article on this production:

A few hours after being admitted to the hospital for exhaustion, director Wang Xiaoying was back at the rehearsal room of the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA), passionately giving instructions to his actors and actresses.
Wang’s health took the brunt of the past month’s intense rehearsals for the Chinese theatrical adaptation oJane Eyre, an English romantic novel by Charlotte Bronte. But Wang didn’t want to miss a moment until the play’s June 19 premiere, so he slipped out of the hospital in the afternoon.
At NCPA, Yuan Quan is in a loose grey cotton dress, similar to the one she will wear as Jane Eyre during the performance. She said she wanted to get used to the feel of a long costume, which also helps her get into character.
Wang Luoyong, the mainland’s fist singer to make it on Broadway, plays Jane Eyre’s love interest Edward Rochester.
Wang has been hailed one of the top Asian actors on Broadway for his leading role in the musical Miss Saigon in the 1990s. When the show closed in 2001 as one of the longest-running Broadway productions, Wang had already given 2,500 performances.
“I can feel everything, but I’m not good at expressing it in words. Wg, however, is an engineer when it comes to decoding and analyzing such problems,” Yuan said.
During rehearsals, Wang often wears a pair of boots ala Edward Rochester to help him get into the man’s skin. But after they tep off the stage, Wang said he and Yuan usually have difficulty shaking off their characters, so they just go over their lines again.
Many people doubt Yuan’s ability to play the plain-looking Jane Eyr because of her beautiful face. But Wang said, “In my mind, she really has a lot of similarities with Jane Eyre.
Jane Eyre
Where: The National Center for the Performing Arts, 2 Xi Chang’an Jie, Xicheng DistrictWhen: June 19-28, 7:30 pm
Admission: 100-500 yuan
Tel: 6655 0000 (He Jianwei)

A little closer to the Brontës' home there are things going on up on the stage as well. The Caernarfon Denbigh Herald announces the Northern Ballet Theatre return to Llandudno with their Wuthering Heights:

The superb Northern Ballet Theatre is returning to Llandudno with a special adaptation of Wuthering Heights.
The show is just one highlight of the Northern Ballet Theatre celebrations for the programme of their 40th anniversary year.
Known throughout the world as one of the greatest love stories, Wuthering Heights focuses on the powerful bond that grows between Cathy and Heathcliff. Their lives become linked for eternity in a haunting tale, as bleak and beautiful as the Yorkshire moors that surround them.
This dance production of Emily Brontë’s classic novel was created in 2002 when Claude-Michel Schönberg, known throughout the musical-theatre world for his West End hits Les Miserables, Miss Saigon and Martin Guerre approached the Northern Ballet Theatre regarding a collaboration.
Wuthering Heights will be at Venue Cymru from June 11-13. Performances start at 7.30pm with a 2.30 matinee on Saturday.
Tickets cost £14-£25, with Discounts, concessions and group rates available. Book tickets on 01492 872000.
Special sessions with the dancers will also be taking place. On June 13 from 11.15am-12.45pm, dance fans can meet the production and watch the rehearsals for £3.50.

The Chester Chronicle reports this as well:

WUTHERING HEIGHTS (Venue Cymru Llandudno, June 11-13)
Emily Bronte’s turbulent, romantic masterpiece is brought to life in this adaptation by Northern Ballet Theatre.
The unruly and dangerous love affair between Heathcliff and Cathy is performed to an original score by celebrated composer Claude-Michel Schonberg, best known for Les Miserables and Miss Saigon. 01492 872000.

And EDP24 announces that this same company will bring their Romeo and Juliet is to Norwich Theatre Royal from June 23-27. NBT chief executive Mark Skipper remarks that,

“I think people still want to come out and see productions of quality. I suppose at the moment audiences are playing a little bit safe with what they want to see, so they'll perhaps go to see productions like Swan Lake, the Nutcracker and Romeo and Juliet. Titles like Dracula and Wuthering Heights are slightly riskier.” (Emma Lee)

We don't know about a bellet performance, but if some producer is looking for a Cathy, they might have one in Helen Flanagan (Rosie Webster in Coronation Street ). She said the following to Western Daily Press:

The 18-year-old actress - who plays Rosie Webster in Coronation Street - says her "dream role" would be playing Cathy Earnshaw in an adaptation of Emily Bronte's novel.
She said: "That's such an amazing role, you get to play Cathy, but you also get to play her daughter as well, and she went through a traumatic time - I love Wuthering Heights, I did it at school for GCSE and absolutely loved it."

We believe she has only seen the 1992 film adaptation where Juliette Binoche played - with the help of an unfortunate wig - both mother and daughter.

Categories: Alert, Dance, Jane Eyre, Theatre, Wuthering Heights