Until 19 May 2025 at Sadler’s Wells, then at The Lowry, Salford, 6–9 June. Tickets: sadlerswells.com. Charlotte Brontë’s beloved heroine, Jane Eyre, burns with rebellion, dignity, and quiet power – and in Northern Ballet’s reimagining, that flame is exquisitely fanned into a compelling, visceral performance. With choreography by Cathy Marston and an evocative score by Philip Feeney (including works by Schubert and the Mendelssohns), this production is a visually and emotionally arresting interpretation of the 19th-century classic.
The evening begins with Jane’s desperate flight from Thornfield and unfurls her journey in an elegant blend of flashback and forward motion. The staging is subtle but effective, framed in shadows and stark lighting that mirror Jane’s inner turmoil. From her tormented childhood to her defiant adulthood, Jane’s story is one of survival, love, and identity – themes deftly communicated through Marston’s intelligent, character-driven choreography.
A Dancer’s Triumph
The Northern Ballet company’s dancers are nothing short of magnificent. Each performer brings emotional clarity and dramatic precision to their role – even in silence, their bodies speak volumes. Dreda Blow (adult Jane) is both restrained and luminous, capturing Jane’s modesty, strength, and fierce integrity with expressive detail. Her movements are taut and decisive, reflecting a woman who survives by will alone.
Mr Rochester, portrayed with dark gravitas and smouldering intensity, adds a brooding contrast. Their duets are full of tension, longing, and unspoken truths – the kind of chemistry that needs no words. Antoinette Brooks-Daw, as young Jane, embodies youthful rebellion with vigour, making the transition to adulthood both believable and seamless.
A Dreamy First Half… Perhaps Too Dreamy?
The first act, while rich in atmosphere and technically strong, did risk lulling me into a light doze – perhaps thanks in part to Sadler’s Wells’ famously soothing air conditioning system, apparently sourced from the very springs beneath the theatre! But the pacing picks up markedly in the second half. From the gothic mystery of Thornfield to the passionate climax and redemptive return, the narrative truly grips in Act II.
Cathy Marston’s Artistic Vision
Marston’s choreography doesn’t rely on showy flourishes or grand spectacle. Instead, she mines the emotional heart of the novel, translating it into an elegant physical language that blends naturalistic gestures with lyrical movement. There’s a quiet boldness in her restraint – no need for melodrama when every step is steeped in meaning.
This production is proof that less can be more: no grand sets or digital wizardry, just lighting, movement, and music working in perfect harmony.
Musical and Emotional Depth
Philip Feeney’s original compositions, intertwined with Romantic-era classics by Schubert and both Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn, underscore the drama with haunting beauty. The live orchestra adds another layer of depth, drawing us into the emotional undercurrents of each scene.
The score doesn’t merely accompany the action – it deepens it, lending melancholy, danger, and soaring hope in all the right places.
A Classic Retold With Grace
This Jane Eyre is more than a retelling – it’s a re-framing. The final moments, in which Jane steps into the spotlight as her own woman, are quietly triumphant. In a world that still questions women’s agency, Northern Ballet’s heroine reclaims it with every defiant step and lifted chin.
From the orphan’s isolation at Lowood, to the fire-lit intimacy at Thornfield, and the final redemptive embrace – this is storytelling in motion. Perfect for lovers of literature, ballet, or simply a beautiful night at the theatre.
Verdict: 5/6
Elegant, emotionally intelligent, and beautifully performed – Jane Eyre is a stirring tribute to one of literature’s fiercest heroines. Just don’t get too cosy in your seat before the interval!
