Jane Eyre in Colne

Tomorrow, November 4th, a Jane Eyre adaptation opens in Colne, UK:

Pendle Borderline Theatre presents
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
4th – 7th November 2015
Adapted by Richard MacSween
The Muni • Albert Road • Colne • Lancashire • BB8 0AE

Celebrating the forthcoming 200th anniversary of Charlotte Bronte’s birth, our next production is a new adaptation of her popular and well-loved novel, Jane Eyre.

An orphaned girl maltreated by her aunt’s family, Jane Eyre has an unpromising start in life, but when she gains a position as governess in Mr. Rochester’s house everything changes.

A classic novel drawing in both romantic and gothic traditions, this is Borderline’s adaptation for the stage, celebrating the forthcoming bi-centenary in 2016 of Charlotte Brontë’s birth.

Pendle theatre audiences are in for a treat next week when Borderline Theatre Company’s stage version of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte comes to the Muni, Colne. In Borderline’s hands it is both a classic and brand new!

John Turley, Borderline’s press officer, explains: ‘On the one hand we wanted to give an airing to a great local novel – and surely Haworth is local? – but we also knew we had to make it work as a contemporary stage drama. That meant it had to be a new script, and we are proud to be staging Borderline’s own, completely new, version of Charlotte Brontë’s book as adapted by local writer Richard MacSween.

The Brontë connections to Pendle have been kept, including the current belief that Ferndean in the novel was in fact Wycoller Hall, and audiences will be reassured to know that the production is faithful to the action and spirit of the novel which remains firmly set in the Victorian period. A large cast of both young and experienced actors really helps to bring the story to life.

Director Yvonne Bolton said: ‘We want to tell Jane Eyre’s story clearly, making it accessible to anyone who may not already know the book. Given that it tells the story of how a ten-year old girl with attitude becomes an independent woman of eighteen, we would like it to connect with teenage and younger members of the audience. Really, this play is for everyone!’

As it happens, Borderline’s Jane Eyre is in competition with another version – one currently being staged by the National Theatre. That version is going to be screened across the country on 8 December, including at the Ace in Nelson. John Turley said: ‘We hope people will go along to the ACE and see that too. And I know it isn’t a competition but we think our version, the local one, will have the edge – the ghost of Charlotte Brontë has given us the nod!’