Heartbreak productions returned to Carew Castle for their 30th anniversary year with an innovative and powerful adaptation of the Charlotte Bronte 1847 classic novel, Jane Eyre.
In Heartbreak’s original version of the gothic romance tale, Jane is a carnival escapologist, and the actors carnival folk who introduce the many trappings of Jane’s story including an abusive upbringing, fire, heartbreak and eventually the world of Mr Rochester at Thornfield Hall.
Charlotte Bronte’s metaphor of Jane as being trapped and constrained, outlined by the infamous quote ‘I am no bird and not net ensnares me’ are played out on stage in a giant bird cage, as most of the scenes take place here, the clever use of ropes and colourful mesh and ribbon to confine her to her fate. The audience watches silently, as she attempts to escape each trap that is set for her.
From the very beginning we are drawn into Jane’s world, via the energetic atmosphere of the carnival spectacular. The audience sits around the small stage in a circle and are part of the production throughout. Actors interchange as characters throughout Jane’s early life including her cruel aunt, her many different teachers at her first school, and the minor characters that come and go throughout her life which ultimately lead her to Mr Rochester and Thornfield Hall. The Yorkshire dialect adds the extra magic to this production which of course was written by a Yorkshire lass.
Faye Lord portrays Jane as the fiery, passionate woman we know from the novel, she is quick witted and honest, fighting for what’s right and against the injustice of her difficult early life. She softens the heart of the brooding and patronising Mr Rochester, as she cares for and teaches his daughter (played brilliantly by Megan Dunnico whose ability to switch characters and accents constantly is astonishing).
Mr Rochester is played by Rory Dulku. Dashing and handsome, he is not without many faults and his torment is displayed with great effect, as he begins to fall for Jane, but struggles to hide a devastating secret which will send her away. The lead cast members are supported by Samantha Moorhouse and Ben Darlington who play multiple characters throughout the production too, with great flair and imagination.
The play lasted 2 hours and set in the beautiful grounds of Carew Castle, a landscape that seemed to lend itself to the production. The audience watched intently as characters stalked the stage around Jane, as she squirmed and suffered in her cage, surrounded by the bright ribbons of fire and constriction, ropes that bound her to the only friend she makes, who sadly dies from TB. Each kind face that she comes across, seems to hide a desire or a secret that means she cannot stay with them. When she learns of a positive turn of fate, she thinks first of the family she has gained, not of the money she will now have and the comfort she can afford to live in.
The costumes were great. The women dressed in plain corseted garments of the day which could be added to allow for quick character or scene changes. Mr Rochester would not be complete without riding breeches, braces and smart red coat.
Heartbreak productions aim as a company is to tell stories that inspire, entertain, challenge and help us to come to a better understanding of human beings and how we can live together.
In their latest production of Jane Eyre, they have managed to do just that. The heart of their name is in this production, with added energy and drama. The small cast delivered a powerful and enjoyable outdoor production which left the viewer wanting more.
Heartbreak are touring the UK with Jane Eyre, as well as David Walliams’ Awful Aunty and Much Ado About Murder.