The full cast has been unveiled for the UK premiere of a new musical inspired by Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre at London’s Southwark Playhouse Elephant.
As previously announced, Charlie Burn (Mean Girls, Savoy Theatre, Les Misérables, UK and Ireland tour) will take on the title role opposite Ashley Gilmour (Miss Saigon, West End/UK and international tour, Evita, Curve) as Rochester.
They will be joined by Claire Greenway (Abbot/Grace Poole), Melad Hamidi (St John/Lord Ingram), Connor Wood (John Reed/Vicar), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Brocklehurst/Mason), Izzi Levine (Agnes/Leah/Jane’s Mother/Mary Ingram), Hannah Lindsey (Scatcherd/Bertha Mason), Isabelle Methven (Helen Burns/Bessie), Gemma Page (Reed/Fairfax), Eve Shanu-Wilson (Blanche/Sophie), Poppy Jason (Young Jane/Adele) and Emily-Rose Samuel (Young Jane/Adele).
Co-directed by RSC and National Theatre director John Caird (Les Misérables, Spirited Away) and Broadway star Megan McGinnis (Beauty and the Beast, Little Women, Beetlejuice), Caird and Paul Gordon’s musical reimagining of the classic novel will play a strictly limited season at the south London venue from 28 August to 24 October.
Commenting on the London premiere of the musical which was first seen in Canada in 1996, Caird said: “I’m so pleased to have the opportunity to explore a new version of Jane Eyre in the beautifully intimate Southwark Playhouse Elephant. It’s always a pleasure to work on this timeless romance but all the more exciting to be collaborating with the brilliant and innovative Megan McGinnis as co-director.”
Co-creator Gordon added: “I’m beyond thrilled to finally bring the musical of Jane Eyre to the UK. Charlotte Brontë’s masterpiece is not only a landmark portrayal of a strong female protagonist, but a story that sends audiences out of the theatre feeling better about their own lives than when they walked in.”
Producer Adam Blanshay commented: “I’ve been a fan of Jane Eyre since its inception, and it’s a tremendous honour to introduce it to UK audiences in a fresh staging. I hope it will particularly resonate with young adults and today’s theatregoers, capturing the story’s emotional power for a contemporary audience. Collaborating with this exceptional creative team, whose work I’ve admired my whole life, is a true privilege. As a Canadian, partnering with Mirvish Productions, who inspired my love of theatre, is especially meaningful.”
Fellow producer Hannah Mirvish said: “I remember the original version of John and Paul’s musical adaptation of Jane Eyre that we did when I was young. I saw the show more times than I remember. A couple years later I was assigned the book to read in school. Both left their indelible mark on me. Now, to have a chance to bring this story back to the stage is a joy.”
The musical version of the dark love story between the orphaned Jane Eyre and the brooding Mr Rochester premiered in Toronto in 1996. The musical debuted on Broadway in 2000 where it was nominated for five Tony Awards.
Adam Blanshay Productions is partnering with the original Canadian producers of the musical David and Hannah Mirvish for the 30th anniversary year of the show.
Angela Thomas
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