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A contributor to The Reviews Hub gives 4.5 out of 5 stars to Northern Ballet's Jane Eyre.

Cathy Marston’s interpretation of this well-known classic manages what might seem impossible by giving us the whole story in a performance lasting around two hours. Everything is here, from Jane’s childhood as an orphan, through her school days, and on to her relationship with Mr Rochester. Marston opts to add an extra element or two, adding to the drama on stage without tampering with the original text too much. Opening with Jane’s rescue by St John Rivers, her early life is retold as if she is relating it to the Rivers played out at the rear of the stage behind an opaque curtain to suggest that this is from Jane’s memory or dreams. The remainder of the stage is left free for the cast to interpret Jane’s early days of torment first at the hands of her Aunt and then later at Lowood School under the cruel tutelage of Brocklehurst.

Complementing the sense of a woman growing in confidence but unable to break free from the conditions of the time, Marston adds a chorus of D-Men, whether demons or dream men is not clear but either would fit perfectly. As much as Jane tries to escape their confines the D-Men prevent her and drag her back in some expertly choreographed sequences, exposing Jane’s desire to break free from the social restrictions of the time whilst being inextricably bound by them, using a coterie of all male dancers for this purpose serves to make the feeling even stronger.

With so much narrative to deal with it is a complement to all involved that the action doesn’t flag, the cast are superb throughout, combining athleticism, grace, muscularity and vulnerability in equal measures. The only real surprise of the first act is how quickly it passes, the dancing helped along in no small measure by the choice to perform with a small live orchestra, helping to add to the sense of immediacy and vitality of the piece. Phillip Feeney’s score provides a perfect complement to the dancing, haunting, plaintive and dramatic in equal measure a far more preferable option than recorded music.

The second act opens with Jane at Thornfield Hall as we witness her feelings for Edward Rochester develop through friendship, envy of his relationship with Blanche, the discovery of the marriage to Bertha and her abandonment of Thornfield and Rochester and her subsequent rescue by Rivers.

Sarah Chun as Jane is utterly believable throughout, her handling of the vulnerability, social awkwardness, growing self-confidence and her strength in rejection of Rivers’ insistent proposals are all delivered with aplomb. Capping it all though is the beautifully conveyed realisation of her true feelings for Rochester and the passion she feels for him, together with revealing a playful side with some amusing foot movements, echoing some less than subtle movements by Rochester earlier on when he is clearly trying to show Jane her place in his household.

Miguel Texeira as Rochester carries just the right balance of slightly over bearing gentleman, giving way to a more vulnerable tender side when he realises Jane’s affections for him are genuine and not born from pity.

The cast are impeccable for the entire performance with some very imaginative choreography particularly evident in the way characters are lifted from the floor by others, and the interlinked movements between Jane and the Rivers sisters. Special mentions should go to not just the two leads but also to Heather Lehan as the fussy Mrs Fairfax, Aerys Merrill adding some well observed childlike feeling to her portrayal of Adele, and Alessia Petrosino for her dynamic rendering of Bertha, a brooding, seething mass of madness, jealousy and rage. All three were given extra cheers by tonight’s packed house together with a long ovation for the entire cast and orchestra.

With plenty to admire on a technical level as well as an entertainment one this is a performance you should not miss. (Steve Turner)

Woman's World recommends '10 Historical Fiction Books About Sisters' including

‘The Diabolical Bones’ by Bella Ellis 

It’s 1846, and the Brontë sisters—Charlotte, Emily and Anne—hear that the bones of a child have been found sealed up in the chimney of a local home. They put on their detective caps with the hopes of discovering who the child was and who was behind his or her demise. But as their investigation moves forward, the women find themselves pulled into a plot that puts their own lives in danger. 

What readers are saying: “One of the only successful ways I distract myself from my worries is opening up a truly captivating book, and I was intrigued that this novel focused on the famous Brontë sisters, weaving in tidbits about their lives and the era in which they lived. I enjoyed how this story gave clues into the inspiration behind Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, which is one of my favorite classics. (Carissa Mosness)

Keighley News features Haowrth resident Nina Illingworth who's raising funds to restore the steps leading to St Michael and All Angels from Main Street.

The weather and years of use have taken their toll on the 19th-century steps at St Michael and All Angels, Haworth.

A section has had to be closed for safety reasons after stones at the southern end of the staircase were undermined by water.

Patrick Brontë, father of the literary siblings, was vicar at the church for over 40 years and most of the family are interred there.

Visitors are drawn to the site from across the world.

Amongst those supporting the fundraising effort is Haworth resident Nina Illingworth.

She is tackling the Yorkshire Three Peaks – taking in Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough – on Sunday, June 1, with the aim of completing the route within 12 hours.

The 31-year-old is a keen hiker, but has not previously attempted a challenge on this scale.

She has been training with walks in the Lake District.

Nina says: "I knew that a few people at my local gym, Trax, were taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks and it occurred to me that this would be the ideal way for me to raise some funds for the Haworth church steps.

"I wanted to contribute because the steps are so important to my church, the community of Haworth and visitors who use them.

"I had my own wedding pictures taken on them, and want the steps to be kept safe and welcoming for future generations."

The Rev Oli Preston, rector at St Michael and All Angels, says: "We're really grateful to Nina for taking on this amazing challenge and we are urging as many people as possible to support her.

"There have been minor repairs to the steps over many years but now we’ve reached the position where a bigger repair and renewal is required.

"We have been working with local business leaders, builders and our architect to prepare a proposal as well as engaging in a conversation with Bradford Council’s planning and conservation departments.

"The final estimated cost is hard to pin down as we don’t know what will be revealed once the stones are lifted, but we’re expecting a bill in the region of £30,000.

"We’ve already secured around £16,000 towards the project and now anything that Nina can raise through sponsorship with her Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge will be very welcome." (Alistair Shand)

Wishing her the best of luck.

Far Out Magazine tells the story of how Kate Bush was actually inspired by an adaptation of Wuthering Heights, not the actual book .