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Audio Description Programme Notes for Jane Eyre
Grand Opera House Belfast Saturday 26th August 2017
The audio described performance will take place at the matinee performance on Saturday 26th August, and is brought to you by Sightlines NI with the Grand Opera House. The audio describers are Florence Stewart and Marie Abbott. If you wish to hear these programme notes read aloud on your headset before the show, please take your seats in the theatre ten minutes before the show starts. The play lasts three hours including the interval and the first Act lasts an hour and a half.
This show is a co-production of the National Theatre and the Bristol Old Vic. Based on the novel ‘Jane Eyre’ written by Charlotte Bronte the production was devised collaboratively in 2014 by the original company of actors and a writer, directed by Sally Cookson.
Jane Eyre tells the story of an orphan girl raised in the north of England in the nineteenth century and focuses on her early life until her twenties. On the death of her parents she is taken in as a baby by her uncle and aunt Reid, and is reared in Gateshead Hall. Jane experiences little love and grows up with a strong awareness of loss and injustice. When aged ten, she is sent away by her aunt to Lowood Boarding School for orphaned girls. The environment is strict and the Principal is harsh, but Jane learns and makes friends and eventually becomes a teacher at the school. She yearns for independence and takes up the position of governess at Thornfield Hall. Her employer, Mr Rochester is a wealthy man and her role as governess is to educate his young French ward, Adele.
There is a multi-racial ensemble cast of ten, including three musicians and a singer. The actors and musicians each play several characters as the story unfolds, including roles of children and even a dog. Jane Eyre, as child and adult, and the Singer are the only roles performed by the same actor throughout.
The Set
The set remains static throughout the performance and the props used are minimal.
The set fills the stage and consists of a large skeletal framework of light coloured wood, built on a white wooden floor. It resembles a building in the early stages of construction where scaffolding is used before the external walls are added, but here ladders are used as well as stairs and ramps.
The set consists of three levels:
1. A ground floor that is the floor of the stage
2. A large square wooden platform on our right protrudes out towards the front of the stage. It stands well above head height.
3. A long narrow gantry or walkway behind the square platform extends across the length of the stage, and is on a slightly lower level than the platform.
There is a narrow gap between the square platform and the gantry with a wide set of metal ladders extending upwards between the gap from the lower ground.
1
On stage to our right are three sturdy wooden uprights supporting the high platform. The spaces beneath the platform act as rooms on the ground floor, one of which contains a short stairway leading up to the gantry. Later the wooden supports of the platform will serve as front door columns.
There are two metal ladders with open rungs leading to the platform on the right side, and one metal ladder on the left of it, which the cast nick named “the ladder of death” because it is vertical and high. The actors frequently use the ladders for access to various areas of the upper structure as required. The ascent or descent of the various ladders is made to look easy, but actually requires a great deal of energy and physical hard work. The platform is used variously as a bedroom, a classroom, a library, a sickroom and a pulpit in a church.
To the left of the wooden uprights, and placed centrally on the stage in front of the gantry sits a three piece band. They musicians remain on stage throughout the performance and play an eclectic mix of music. A female singer with a deep melodic voice comes onto the stage at times and is accompanied by the musicians. The instruments are crammed into a small space and include a piano, a cello, a double bass, a guitar, chimes, an accordion and a complete drum kit. To the left of the band is a wide wooden ramp with a slight incline that slopes down and out towards us. A short set of open stairs leads from the top of the ramp to the gantry above. The gantry can also be accessed by metal ladders, one at its end, and one at its rear, plus a large high ladder which extends from the ground up through the gap separating platform from gantry.
The wooden structure variously represents the house where Jane is born, the house where she is reared, a school house, a grand mansion, a country school, a church, and a ruin.
Lighting
The theatre curtains behind the set remain closed throughout the play, but the changing hours of the day are cleverly portrayed when colours are projected onto them. Lighting the set itself is an important part of the play and many ways were explored as the play was developed. It was decided that the best way to create atmosphere was to use hand held small electrical lights, carried by members of the ensemble . These represent candles or lanterns, and sometimes the cast clump them together to give the impression of fire in a grate.
In some scenes,many small round electric light bulbs, each suspended on a long wire, are hung above the set from the roof of the stage to resemble stars in the night sky.There is a scene where flames and smoke are used very effectively.
Props and effects
Few props are used in the performance, and are brought on and removed by the actors.. A moving stage coach is suggested by the actors grouping together and running on the spot. This movement also represents the changes occurring within Jane Eyre herself. Running is used effectively by the ensemble and often throughout the performance.
Several long smock uniforms of Lowood School are suspended on coat hangers
2
and wires from the stage roof above the set in a similar manner as the light bulbs. These give us the overall ghostly impression of conformity and uniformity.
At times in Lowood School square black window frames are held up by the cast. We see Jane peering out through these frames to the world outside, restricted by her situation. At other times a number of frames are held together by the actors creating windows or doors leading to the outside of a large house. At other times the frames are extended from the roof of the stage to represent the windows in various parts of Thornfield Hall.
Props include a battered brown leather travelling bag belonging to Jane Eyre, a small square stool that sits beneath the platform, hand mirrors, hand held lighting, a portfolio of drawings, reading and exercise books, school uniforms, and a dark coloured blanket. A large comfortable brown leather armchair with a studded back, wings and arm rests is used by Mr Rochester.
A member of the cast mimes Pilot the dog. He uses a short strap as a wagging tail.
Characters and costumes
The costumes are all made of linen or cotton, and are in plain, subdued colours. The men in the ensemble appear in dark blue high-waisted trousers with braces, worn with dark blue or grey full-sleeved shirts. The main characters then add various items of clothing, like long overcoats, patterned waistcoats, scarves, cravats, caps or hats to distinguish their characters. One man has a full luxuriant beard. Three have short neat beards and one is clean shaven. Three of the women wear ankle length dresses in dark-blue linen with stiffened bodices laced up at the front and full skirts. Beneath the bodice they wear grey short sleeved blouses with a gathered neckline. Full length dark petticoats and pantaloons are worn underneath their dresses. Jane Eyre wears white petticoats and undergarments. All the women wear black lace-up boots and thick woollen socks. Mop caps, shawls, white aprons, coats, hats and gloves are added for individual characters. The singer stands out as she is dressed in a red silk gown.
The singer is Bertha Mason, a tall, statuesque woman, dressed in a full length evening dress made of rich red silk with a low cut scooped neckline and decorated with buttons on the bodice, three-quarter length pleated sleeves and a full skirt with a pleated hem. When she sings she is not noticed by the other characters.
Three musicians sit in the centre of the stage set, amidst the musical instruments. They remain there for much of the play.
Jane Eyre first appears as a child in a calf length white petticoat. She then is dressed in a grey striped linen smock. Her short brown hair is jaw length, with unruly corkscrew curls. Jane is small and has a heart-shaped face, and clear pale skin. She is slightly built and moves with childlike energy. Later when she becomes an adult, Jane wears a high-neck grey dress, with a close-fitting bodice and tight sleeves in a darker shade of grey. The dress has buttons to the waist in the front and a full ankle-length skirt. Her hair is gathered back in a small bun.
3
Mr Reid, Jane’s uncle, is tall and slim, with short grey hair, regular features and is clean-shaven. He wears a waistcoat over his shirt.
Mrs Reid, Jane’s aunt, is tall and stands very upright. She wears a loose black lace cap, like a short veil, covering her hair. A long yellow patterned shawl is wrapped around her shoulders over her dress and held in place tucked in to her belt. She also wears fingerless lace gloves.
Two servants, Bessie and Miss Abbot wear long white aprons over their blue dresses, and white caps to cover their hair.
Three of the ensemble actors take the parts of Eliza, Georgiana and John Reed, Jane’s young cousins. The two girls put yellow braided ribbons on their heads . John wears a short blue jacket and soft blue cap. He has a full beard.
Mr. Brocklehurst is the Principal of Lowood School for orphan girls. Tall and thin, clean shaven and dressed all in black, he appears stern with a close-fitting black coat and a tall black top hat.
At Lowood School , six of the ensemble, men and women, join Jane and become pupils and pull on the brown and beige smocks that form the school’s uniform. The smock has two deep pockets and each pupil also wears a small brown cap covering their hair, held in place with buttons under the chin.
Helen Burns is a pupil at the school and she becomes a friend to Jane. Tall and slender, her short dark hair is worn pinned back from her face, with a long straight fringe on her forehead. She has a pale face and large expressive eyes.
Mr. Edward Rochester is a gentleman who owns Thornfield Hall. He is Jane’s employer. Tall and well-built, he is an imposing figure. He first appears wearing a long heavy dark coat worn over a red patterned waistcoat and dark shirt and trousers. A thick knitted scarf is wound round his neck. He has a high forehead with thick dark wavy hair and a full dark beard.
Pilot is Rochester’s dog, performed by a member of the ensemble. He carries a short leather strap in his right hand and uses it to create the impression and sound of a wagging tail. He leaps up on chairs and lies sprawled on the ground in a dog-like way.
Mrs Flax is Mr Rochester’s housekeeper. A tall, well-built lady she wears a cream mop-cap and a short cream lacey shawl pinned round her shoulders She smiles often and has a warm and friendly manner.
Adele is the young French girl who is Mr Rochester’s ward. Over her blue dress Adele wears a short pink quilted jacket with cuffs, collar and edges trimmed with a dark ribbon. Tall and slim, she wears her short straight hair pinned back and has a fringe. She speaks French.
Grace Poole is a maid servant in the house. She wears a long grey dress and large mop-cap. Tall and thin, she enters wearing a heavy dark coat.
4
Richard Mason is a friend of Mr Rochester’s from Spanish Town Jamaica. He is tall, thin and grey-haired and wears a neat cream coloured knee length coat.
Blanche Ingram is a lady, a neighbour and friend of Mr Rochester, known to be a great beauty, with regular features and large dark eyes. Tall and slim, she wears a small black hat decorated with ribbons, and a turquoise blue waist length cape, trimmed with ribbon.
St.John Rivers is a young clergyman who wants to be a missionary. Tall and slim, he is dressed in a knee-length close fitting coat, worn over a white shirt and waistcoat and black trousers. He wears a white collar and cravat, and his hair is pulled back in a short ponytail at the back of his head.
Diana Rivers is St.John’s sister. Over her dark blue dress she wears a pale grey patterned shawl and white cap, which reveals her long straight fringe. She wears wire-rimmed glasses.
Bertha Mason is a woman from Spanish Town Jamaica. She is also the main soloist throughout the play.
The Ensemble Cast
Nadia Clifford plays the part of Jane Eyre. Tim Delap plays John Reid and Mr.Rochester.
Paul Mundell plays the school Principal Mr Brocklehurst, Mr Reid, Pilot the dog and Richard Mason.
Hannah Bristow plays the roles of Helen Burns, Adele, the maid Grace Poole and Diana Rivers, the clergyman’s sister.
Evelyn Miller plays the parts of Bessie, Blanche Ingram and the Clergyman St.John Rivers.
Linda Rooke plays Mrs Reid and Mrs Fairfax, the housekeeper.
Melanie Marshall is the soloist singer and plays Bertha Mason.
The three musicians and ensemble members are Matthew Churcher, Alex Hearne and David Ridley.
The play was directed by Sally CooksonMusic was by Benji Bower
Dramaturg (research and development of the play ) was by Mike Akers
Set Design by Michael Vale Lighting Design by Aideen Malone
Movement by Dan Canham
Costume Design by Katie Sykes
Sound Design by Dominic Bilkey
Grand Opera House Belfast Saturday 26th August 2017
The audio described performance will take place at the matinee performance on Saturday 26th August, and is brought to you by Sightlines NI with the Grand Opera House. The audio describers are Florence Stewart and Marie Abbott. If you wish to hear these programme notes read aloud on your headset before the show, please take your seats in the theatre ten minutes before the show starts. The play lasts three hours including the interval and the first Act lasts an hour and a half.
This show is a co-production of the National Theatre and the Bristol Old Vic. Based on the novel ‘Jane Eyre’ written by Charlotte Bronte the production was devised collaboratively in 2014 by the original company of actors and a writer, directed by Sally Cookson.
Jane Eyre tells the story of an orphan girl raised in the north of England in the nineteenth century and focuses on her early life until her twenties. On the death of her parents she is taken in as a baby by her uncle and aunt Reid, and is reared in Gateshead Hall. Jane experiences little love and grows up with a strong awareness of loss and injustice. When aged ten, she is sent away by her aunt to Lowood Boarding School for orphaned girls. The environment is strict and the Principal is harsh, but Jane learns and makes friends and eventually becomes a teacher at the school. She yearns for independence and takes up the position of governess at Thornfield Hall. Her employer, Mr Rochester is a wealthy man and her role as governess is to educate his young French ward, Adele.
There is a multi-racial ensemble cast of ten, including three musicians and a singer. The actors and musicians each play several characters as the story unfolds, including roles of children and even a dog. Jane Eyre, as child and adult, and the Singer are the only roles performed by the same actor throughout.
The Set
The set remains static throughout the performance and the props used are minimal.
The set fills the stage and consists of a large skeletal framework of light coloured wood, built on a white wooden floor. It resembles a building in the early stages of construction where scaffolding is used before the external walls are added, but here ladders are used as well as stairs and ramps.
The set consists of three levels:
1. A ground floor that is the floor of the stage
2. A large square wooden platform on our right protrudes out towards the front of the stage. It stands well above head height.
3. A long narrow gantry or walkway behind the square platform extends across the length of the stage, and is on a slightly lower level than the platform.
There is a narrow gap between the square platform and the gantry with a wide set of metal ladders extending upwards between the gap from the lower ground.
1
On stage to our right are three sturdy wooden uprights supporting the high platform. The spaces beneath the platform act as rooms on the ground floor, one of which contains a short stairway leading up to the gantry. Later the wooden supports of the platform will serve as front door columns.
There are two metal ladders with open rungs leading to the platform on the right side, and one metal ladder on the left of it, which the cast nick named “the ladder of death” because it is vertical and high. The actors frequently use the ladders for access to various areas of the upper structure as required. The ascent or descent of the various ladders is made to look easy, but actually requires a great deal of energy and physical hard work. The platform is used variously as a bedroom, a classroom, a library, a sickroom and a pulpit in a church.
To the left of the wooden uprights, and placed centrally on the stage in front of the gantry sits a three piece band. They musicians remain on stage throughout the performance and play an eclectic mix of music. A female singer with a deep melodic voice comes onto the stage at times and is accompanied by the musicians. The instruments are crammed into a small space and include a piano, a cello, a double bass, a guitar, chimes, an accordion and a complete drum kit. To the left of the band is a wide wooden ramp with a slight incline that slopes down and out towards us. A short set of open stairs leads from the top of the ramp to the gantry above. The gantry can also be accessed by metal ladders, one at its end, and one at its rear, plus a large high ladder which extends from the ground up through the gap separating platform from gantry.
The wooden structure variously represents the house where Jane is born, the house where she is reared, a school house, a grand mansion, a country school, a church, and a ruin.
Lighting
The theatre curtains behind the set remain closed throughout the play, but the changing hours of the day are cleverly portrayed when colours are projected onto them. Lighting the set itself is an important part of the play and many ways were explored as the play was developed. It was decided that the best way to create atmosphere was to use hand held small electrical lights, carried by members of the ensemble . These represent candles or lanterns, and sometimes the cast clump them together to give the impression of fire in a grate.
In some scenes,many small round electric light bulbs, each suspended on a long wire, are hung above the set from the roof of the stage to resemble stars in the night sky.There is a scene where flames and smoke are used very effectively.
Props and effects
Few props are used in the performance, and are brought on and removed by the actors.. A moving stage coach is suggested by the actors grouping together and running on the spot. This movement also represents the changes occurring within Jane Eyre herself. Running is used effectively by the ensemble and often throughout the performance.
Several long smock uniforms of Lowood School are suspended on coat hangers
2
and wires from the stage roof above the set in a similar manner as the light bulbs. These give us the overall ghostly impression of conformity and uniformity.
At times in Lowood School square black window frames are held up by the cast. We see Jane peering out through these frames to the world outside, restricted by her situation. At other times a number of frames are held together by the actors creating windows or doors leading to the outside of a large house. At other times the frames are extended from the roof of the stage to represent the windows in various parts of Thornfield Hall.
Props include a battered brown leather travelling bag belonging to Jane Eyre, a small square stool that sits beneath the platform, hand mirrors, hand held lighting, a portfolio of drawings, reading and exercise books, school uniforms, and a dark coloured blanket. A large comfortable brown leather armchair with a studded back, wings and arm rests is used by Mr Rochester.
A member of the cast mimes Pilot the dog. He uses a short strap as a wagging tail.
Characters and costumes
The costumes are all made of linen or cotton, and are in plain, subdued colours. The men in the ensemble appear in dark blue high-waisted trousers with braces, worn with dark blue or grey full-sleeved shirts. The main characters then add various items of clothing, like long overcoats, patterned waistcoats, scarves, cravats, caps or hats to distinguish their characters. One man has a full luxuriant beard. Three have short neat beards and one is clean shaven. Three of the women wear ankle length dresses in dark-blue linen with stiffened bodices laced up at the front and full skirts. Beneath the bodice they wear grey short sleeved blouses with a gathered neckline. Full length dark petticoats and pantaloons are worn underneath their dresses. Jane Eyre wears white petticoats and undergarments. All the women wear black lace-up boots and thick woollen socks. Mop caps, shawls, white aprons, coats, hats and gloves are added for individual characters. The singer stands out as she is dressed in a red silk gown.
The singer is Bertha Mason, a tall, statuesque woman, dressed in a full length evening dress made of rich red silk with a low cut scooped neckline and decorated with buttons on the bodice, three-quarter length pleated sleeves and a full skirt with a pleated hem. When she sings she is not noticed by the other characters.
Three musicians sit in the centre of the stage set, amidst the musical instruments. They remain there for much of the play.
Jane Eyre first appears as a child in a calf length white petticoat. She then is dressed in a grey striped linen smock. Her short brown hair is jaw length, with unruly corkscrew curls. Jane is small and has a heart-shaped face, and clear pale skin. She is slightly built and moves with childlike energy. Later when she becomes an adult, Jane wears a high-neck grey dress, with a close-fitting bodice and tight sleeves in a darker shade of grey. The dress has buttons to the waist in the front and a full ankle-length skirt. Her hair is gathered back in a small bun.
3
Mr Reid, Jane’s uncle, is tall and slim, with short grey hair, regular features and is clean-shaven. He wears a waistcoat over his shirt.
Mrs Reid, Jane’s aunt, is tall and stands very upright. She wears a loose black lace cap, like a short veil, covering her hair. A long yellow patterned shawl is wrapped around her shoulders over her dress and held in place tucked in to her belt. She also wears fingerless lace gloves.
Two servants, Bessie and Miss Abbot wear long white aprons over their blue dresses, and white caps to cover their hair.
Three of the ensemble actors take the parts of Eliza, Georgiana and John Reed, Jane’s young cousins. The two girls put yellow braided ribbons on their heads . John wears a short blue jacket and soft blue cap. He has a full beard.
Mr. Brocklehurst is the Principal of Lowood School for orphan girls. Tall and thin, clean shaven and dressed all in black, he appears stern with a close-fitting black coat and a tall black top hat.
At Lowood School , six of the ensemble, men and women, join Jane and become pupils and pull on the brown and beige smocks that form the school’s uniform. The smock has two deep pockets and each pupil also wears a small brown cap covering their hair, held in place with buttons under the chin.
Helen Burns is a pupil at the school and she becomes a friend to Jane. Tall and slender, her short dark hair is worn pinned back from her face, with a long straight fringe on her forehead. She has a pale face and large expressive eyes.
Mr. Edward Rochester is a gentleman who owns Thornfield Hall. He is Jane’s employer. Tall and well-built, he is an imposing figure. He first appears wearing a long heavy dark coat worn over a red patterned waistcoat and dark shirt and trousers. A thick knitted scarf is wound round his neck. He has a high forehead with thick dark wavy hair and a full dark beard.
Pilot is Rochester’s dog, performed by a member of the ensemble. He carries a short leather strap in his right hand and uses it to create the impression and sound of a wagging tail. He leaps up on chairs and lies sprawled on the ground in a dog-like way.
Mrs Flax is Mr Rochester’s housekeeper. A tall, well-built lady she wears a cream mop-cap and a short cream lacey shawl pinned round her shoulders She smiles often and has a warm and friendly manner.
Adele is the young French girl who is Mr Rochester’s ward. Over her blue dress Adele wears a short pink quilted jacket with cuffs, collar and edges trimmed with a dark ribbon. Tall and slim, she wears her short straight hair pinned back and has a fringe. She speaks French.
Grace Poole is a maid servant in the house. She wears a long grey dress and large mop-cap. Tall and thin, she enters wearing a heavy dark coat.
4
Richard Mason is a friend of Mr Rochester’s from Spanish Town Jamaica. He is tall, thin and grey-haired and wears a neat cream coloured knee length coat.
Blanche Ingram is a lady, a neighbour and friend of Mr Rochester, known to be a great beauty, with regular features and large dark eyes. Tall and slim, she wears a small black hat decorated with ribbons, and a turquoise blue waist length cape, trimmed with ribbon.
St.John Rivers is a young clergyman who wants to be a missionary. Tall and slim, he is dressed in a knee-length close fitting coat, worn over a white shirt and waistcoat and black trousers. He wears a white collar and cravat, and his hair is pulled back in a short ponytail at the back of his head.
Diana Rivers is St.John’s sister. Over her dark blue dress she wears a pale grey patterned shawl and white cap, which reveals her long straight fringe. She wears wire-rimmed glasses.
Bertha Mason is a woman from Spanish Town Jamaica. She is also the main soloist throughout the play.
The Ensemble Cast
Nadia Clifford plays the part of Jane Eyre. Tim Delap plays John Reid and Mr.Rochester.
Paul Mundell plays the school Principal Mr Brocklehurst, Mr Reid, Pilot the dog and Richard Mason.
Hannah Bristow plays the roles of Helen Burns, Adele, the maid Grace Poole and Diana Rivers, the clergyman’s sister.
Evelyn Miller plays the parts of Bessie, Blanche Ingram and the Clergyman St.John Rivers.
Linda Rooke plays Mrs Reid and Mrs Fairfax, the housekeeper.
Melanie Marshall is the soloist singer and plays Bertha Mason.
The three musicians and ensemble members are Matthew Churcher, Alex Hearne and David Ridley.
The play was directed by Sally CooksonMusic was by Benji Bower
Dramaturg (research and development of the play ) was by Mike Akers
Set Design by Michael Vale Lighting Design by Aideen Malone
Movement by Dan Canham
Costume Design by Katie Sykes
Sound Design by Dominic Bilkey
