live production - Jane Eyre Flashcards
introduction
I saw Jane Eyre, live at the National Theatre on the 17th October, 2017. Directed by Sally Cookson, this original and thought-provoking production aims to rework the traditional story of Jane Eyre through discussing themes such as patriarchy, spirituality, and non-conformism. It aimed to portray the inner tumultuous journeys of Jane as she takes control of her life. Through its ingenious use of stylised ensemble movement, physical theatre, and stylised acting it used an expressionist style to convey these aims.
performance skills
Set and story were epic - Brechtian
Plain, playground/scaffolding-like set - musicians on stage
Physical theatre - comic methods employed
Multi rolling
Ensemble cast - ensemble for important than the individual
Breaking of fourth wall
Symbolic set - the flying veil, the changes of lighting to reflect the mood…etc.
bertha moment
I Convey a modern take on the character Bertha and give the audience some insight into her hidden and crazy character and how it paralleled with Jane’s
D Bertha stood stock still, with a upright posture and hands by her side staring motionlessly out to the audience whilst Jane hung to the ladder with all her might. She silently climbed around the edge and flung her chest out, holding onto the ladder with her hands, freeing herself from the worries of Rochester and instead focusing on her character. This paralleled with the haunting rendition of Gnarls’ Barkley’s ‘Crazy.’ Bertha sung in pure swooping tones, articulating the ‘does that make me crazy’ posing the question to the audience and standing there, seeming almost innocent or unaware of her condition. Both characters connected with each other, as they had both been under the effect of Rochester’s illusive and erratic character.
E This was signalling Bertha and Jane connecting
A bertha’s singing created an almost hypnotic effect on the audience, who were entranced by her beautiful singing. The fact that Bower chose to use a modern song, alludes to the modern day intepretation of jane eyre. Now, with mass immigration and more knowledge surrounding mental health Bertha’s character would have been more understood, which is perhaps why she was chosen to be represented in a more suppressed and hidden character. This is shown through the song crazy and mad about the boy.
Jane at the beginning
I to show Jane’s loneliness as a child yet ability to adapt to any situation and endure hardship,
D the other children are taken inside and given cinnamon buns but Jane is left outside in the rain, she swings on the bar playfully, jumping up with a determined grimace and letting her body hang loosely, kicking her tattered boots into the air to propel herself. She innocently says ‘what have I done Aunt Reed’ when Aunt Reed comes out to question her and pinpoint undeserved anger on Jane. Her voice is high pitched with a heavy Northern accent, the ‘done’ is on a higher pitch and she articulates the words ‘aunt reed’
E Jane’s frail and small figure is out shadowed by Aunt Reed, also Clifford’s ability to adopt the characteristics of a small child
A the audience immediately empathise with Jane, who has done nothing wrong yet still seemingly provides a burden for Aunt Reed. We are also curious to see how she will grow up in this atmosphere and rebel against her Aunt
L this is the beginning of Clifford’s portrayal therefore it is lighter and more innocent as Jane is a child, the emotional response is of empathy and curiousity
jane at lowood
I to establish lockwood as a place that Jane associates with order and complete conformity. To show how Jane adapts and begins to learn her place as an orphan in the world and accepts this. Jane has now seen the ‘make do’ attitude of Helen and the other students and assumes that this is normality as she has nothing else to compare it with
D the orphans are all lined up with a straight posture and hands to their sides, Jane drops a book and stands uncertainly as the other all students rush backwards Jane is called out form the line and made to stand on a stool, her face remains straight, she looks out to the audience as if challenging them. She remains silent with low set eyebrows and a straight posture, refusing to make eye contact with anyone else
E it shows how Jane has been changed by this experience and has learnt not to question Brocklehurst or others around her as an orphan. We see how Jane doesn’t want to reveal any emotion or weakness
A the audience can see how jane is repeatedly told what to do by others in positions of authority, and how fundamentally society is balanced against her as an orphan girl. Thus we want her to suceed even more and overpower this system, we feel compassion and bravery towards Jane as we watch her grow
L we have now established a strong emotional link with Jane as we see her grow up, therefore we have an interest in seeing her succeed and feel a deep pathos towards her and her treatment
jane at the windows
To convey a restlessness within Jane, and a longing to progress within her life. Perhaps alluding to the Bronte’s lack of social standing within society, and inability to progress beyond governess. The three sisters were also forced to write under a pseudonym. It shows her overcoming prejudice’s and standards in society
D the same orphans that she was once a part of, crowd around Jane chanting in a cacophany ‘je suis, tu es, il est, elle est, nous sommes, vous etes, ils sont, elles sont’ ‘Charles the 1st died on Monday 31st of January 1649’ one by one they each hold up a wooden frame in front of Jane’s face. The lines are repetitive of what Jane herself learnt as an orphan. On the line ‘enough, I must have liberty, and if I cannot have liberty I must have change’ Jane frantically pushes the frames out of the way and clears the air. Her voice cracked on the ‘enough’ conveying an emotional and restless being. Jane had a yearning and passionate facial expression, with upturned eyebrows and distant eyes, as she stared out into the audience.
E This moment is symbolic of Jane taking control of her future and breaking out of her normal routine. The windows are literally representative of her entrapment at Lowood school. It is the first sign of her meeting Rochester and improving her social standing in life. She is moving away from her old life and treatment as a child.
A This moment is extremely aesthetically pleasing and positive
jane with st john
I showing a new stage in Jane’s life, one with St John. Illustrate how cannot seem to progress from the role of a teacher.
D Jane stands rigidly and briskly places books down on the ramp. Her movements are precise and quick, Jane stands above her pupils who all sit obediently at her feet, she reads in a clipped and monotone voice ‘good morning children’
E Jane maintains a proffesional and composed exterior, yet her actions are banal and menial – she is internally unhappy
A the audience cannot help but notice how similar this is to jane’s role at Lowood and Thornfield. We can see Jane’s internal reilience and strength and wonder how she will strive in this new role
L emotional response overall is of unhappiness
the proposal
to represent the climax in Rochester and Jane’s relationship as Jane confronts Rochester and subsequently Rochester proposes to Jane. In this moment, Jane is having an external struggle, between the fulfilment and love she finds in Rochester’s, whilst thinking that nothing more will ever come from this relationship due to Blanche Ingram’s presence
D Rochester is positioned on the stage and he spits into the air ‘You are like a frantic bird tearing at it’s feathers’ his eyes wide with passion and longing, his arms rest by their sides but one of his fists is clenched. In return Clifford shook her head furiously and glared directly into Rochester’s eyes as she shouted to him ‘I am no bird and no net ensnares me, I am a free human being with an independent will that now exerts to leave you’ her shouting was loud and domineering Rochester ‘Marry me! Marry me!’ . Clifford’s voice: rich with passionate anger, cracking, an irregular ry
E this is the only moment when Jane has truly wanted to stay where she is, instead of move onto a different place (eg. From aunt reed’s house to Lowood.) Rochester is one of the only people that she
has formed a strong relationship with and in return Rochester defies social expectations and proposes to Jane.
A The passionately tense and romantically potent relationship they had developed was illustrated to the audience the audience are happy for Jane’s engagement to Rochester, however we are in a position of dramatic irony as we know of Bertha’s present in the household.
L It is a moment of aspiration and suggests that change is possible for Jane
jane and Rochester reunited
I to show Rochester and Jane united, for Jane to finally be emotionally and physically at ease/content. A happy ending despite all the hardship she has been through (relate to context of Charlotte Bronte who always made her endings happy as a response to the depressive conditions she lived in..)
D Rochester reaches his feeling hands out to touch Jane’s face - he gently caresses the contours of her face with his finger tips - with a passionate, trembling cry of hopefulness and excitement he exclaims “Are you real?” - on the confirmation of this he forcefully embraces her body and she his, pulling her into his arms, standing strong and upright.
E they are not normally so physically extrovert and expressive
A a rare moment of happiness, the audience are left on a positive note – for both Rochester, who was left with nothing, and Jane who choose to return to Rochester
L emotional response – probably the happiest moment of the play and peformed vividly and effectively by Clifford
journey to lowood
I To physically represent Jane moving away from her Aunt Reed and embarking on a new stage of her life, despite being shunned as a child
D ‘A strong rhythm’ kicks in from the band. With Jane at the front and the ensemble forming a V formation from behind her they all lift their legs and run on the spot in unison. Their arms are pumping at their sides with their eyes all focused on the horizon. The rhythm changes to double time and they all adapt running faster. They all stop to relieve themselves and the moment is comedic and Jane squats and doubles over, lifting her skirt unashamedly.
E this moment is more fast paced and positive, contrasting with the depressive atmosphere of Aunt Reed’s house. The physicality of the ensemble, with Jane leading, was dynamic and in perfect unison, providing an aestically pleasing moment for the audience
A/L the effect was to elevate the pace of the play and show a clear transition from Aunt Reed’s house, it was a moment of strength and adventure for the audience
being whipped in the orphanage
I To represent the damned and futureless life these orphans have, and how power can be corruptive for characters such as Brocklehurst
D Helen is to be whipped, she stands with her hands out resolutely whilst the rest of the orphans shuffle together in defiance, they all cower in unison and shout out mirroring Helen’s pain – which she cannot articulate herself as that would be showing weakness. They all turn their shoulders away from Helen and lean back slightly. the teacher brings down a ruler swiftly and harshly onto Helen’s still, tender arms
E this is a moment of unison and shows the orphans collect experience, surviving against the evil Brockelhurst. Lowood was known to be a school with terrible conditions
A the audience pity the orphans yet have strength as they see how they still manage to function despite the pious, authoritative and strict Brocklehurst.
L the effect is to convey Jane’s stage of life as an orphan and her seeing a key principle that she has always been told – to do as she is told and not ask questions. Lowood and the other students merely amplify these thought with their expressionistic and repetitive behaviour. Jane is inquisitive and confronts Helen after this moment
actress jane eyre
nadia clifford
actress adele grace poole helen
hannah bristow
actor rochester
tim delap
actress bertha
melanie marshall
places in jane eyre
gateshead
lockwood school
thornfield hall
moorhouse
