Woodbridge School and Sixth Form
+44 (0)1394 615000
Woodbridge School Prep
+44 (0)1394 382673
Home > News and Events > JANE EYRE

JANE EYRE

27 Mar 18

There was something intriguingly timely about the choice of play: a strong woman; difficult times; repression and patriarchy.  And also a play with barely a male character in sight for some time; boys playing girls, and girls playing girls.  Identity; control; strength in weakness and weakness in strength. Jane Eyre is such an important book and deserves interpretations which keep pace with modernity and seek out its timeless truths.  Such was the aim, and the achievement of this year’s Upper Sixth drama students.  In two scenes we were taken from timid childhood to intrepid, forthright innocence (is that an oxymoron?  I think not).  Jane’s innocence is essential, but only in the context of her fortitude.

The first act rushed her from home, figuratively and physically, into a dark sanctuary, only for her to find guidance and light from dear Helen Burns.  Death the only release… of course. Such is melodrama. We wanted to know more.

Act two and escape into… greater darkness?  Not at all, unless that sole male figure knocked from his horse and floundering in his own anger is to upset the transition from lost to found.  Well, there lies the question for act three… the act we couldn’t have! This audience was left wanting more: Jane, Mrs Fairfax, Adèle and Pilot seemed to have found a happiness to explore, only for Rochester (ah, those tricksy menfolk) to upset the order of things. And so the evening ended: in uncertainty and ambiguity – a different disquiet from the outset, but no less enthralling.

Excellent work.

Share
Share
View latest news
View upcoming events
Updated on a regular basis, our events calendar is the central reference for all upcoming fixtures, performances and other notable dates for your diary.

Want to book a visit or make an enquiry? Please get in touch.

Woodbridgian Weekly

    Sign up to receive the latest news and events in the Woodbridgian Weekly










    Fields marked with * are required