Review: JANE EYRE at Southwark Playhouse Elephant

The show follows the story of Jane (Charlie Burn), the mistreated but resolute young orphan who is sent away to boarding school by her cruel Aunt Reed (Gemma Page), and then later takes a position as governess at Thornfield Hall to teach Adèle (an extraordinarily confident and engaging debut from Emily-Rose Samuel) the young ward of Edward Rochester (Ashley Gilmour). From their first meeting when his horse is startled and he is thrown, it is certain that an attraction exists and that Jane and Rochester will gradually be drawn to one another. And sure enough, love blossoms despite various historical complications which conspire to keep them apart and which give rise to the dramatic and moralistic dilemmas which lend the story its potency and power.

This production boasts a cast of 12 performers who play a multiplicity of characters and are supported by an unseen but most definitely heard 7-piece under the musical direction of Ben Kubiak whose lush orchestrations and arrangements add substantially to the depth and power of the songs. In terms of visual style Morgan Large’s set is predominantly an open playing area with occasional furniture brought into the space. It is backdropped with murky grey/green projections which atmospherically convey moors, grand houses and trees whose imprecise outlines add a period moodiness and atmosphere to proceedings. The cast have all been attired in various black Georgian/Regency stylings save for Adèle, who commands attention in white, as she challenges perceived injustices with sheer force of will.

I’ll concede that I didn’t expect to enjoy this production quite as much as I did. The songwriting (which taps Les Mis, and Into the Woods among others, for inspiration), benefits from solid musical knowledge and the aforementioned splendid arrangements which lift the gloomier and bleaker elements of the dour storyline into something more inspirational.

Is it the sort of show which will secure a West End transfer? Possibly not, but certainly less likely musicals have found their way into that realm in the past, so who knows?

JANE EYRE continues at Southwark Playhouse Elephant until 24th October and runs 2 hours and 30 minutes including an interval.

Jane Eyre Tickets