Jane Eyre

Last night I headed to the Rose Theatre in Kingston to see Jane Eyre based on Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel, and honestly, what an interesting theatrical experience!

For anyone unfamiliar with the story, Jane Eyre follows a young orphan who grows up determined to make a life for herself. She becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she meets the mysterious Mr Rochester. As their relationship develops, Jane finds herself caught up in a world of romance, secrets and unexpected revelations. But underneath it all, it’s a story about love, independence and staying true to yourself.

Now, how do I describe this production? Bizarre… but in the best possible way! 😂

It’s one of those shows where you’re never quite sure what’s going to happen next, and that’s exactly what kept me hooked. It was unusual, intriguing and constantly kept me on my toes. Rather than feeling bizarre for the sake of being bizarre, it felt like there was real thought behind the way the story was being told. I found myself wanting to keep watching because I genuinely didn’t know where it was going next.

I’ll be honest, I’d forgotten quite a lot of the original Jane Eyre storyline, so I went in without remembering all the twists and turns. In a way, that made the experience even more interesting because I could let the story unfold without knowing what was coming. There were moments that genuinely surprised me, but don’t worry, I’m not giving away any spoilers!

I think a huge part of what makes this production work is the clever staging, the acting and the way the characters are portrayed. Everything comes together to create an atmosphere that feels unpredictable, leaving you curious about what you’re seeing and what might happen next. I really enjoyed how the production played with expectations instead of simply telling the story in a straightforward way.

The staging was particularly clever, and I loved the use of the speakers throughout. These creative touches added something different to the experience and made me appreciate how much thought can go into bringing a story to life on stage.

The acting was incredible too. The performers really drew me into this world, and I was impressed by how engaging they made the whole experience. When a production is this unconventional, the performances and staging have to work together to keep the audience invested, and I thought that was one of its real strengths.

This might not be the most traditional interpretation of Jane Eyre, but that’s part of what made it so fascinating for me. It surprised me, kept me guessing and gave me plenty to think about.

If you enjoy theatre that does things a little differently and keeps you wondering what on earth is coming next, this could be one to add to your list!

This show was reviewed on the 14th October 2026 at the Rose Theatre, Kingston-upon-Thames where it runs until the 24th October 2026.  Tickets available here: Jane Eyre — By Charlotte Brontë | Rose Theatre, Kingston, London

Review written by Sarah Vazquez-Phillips

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Photo credit : Johan Persson

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