“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me” – hearing that famous impassioned outburst of from Jane makes the heart of every fan of Charlotte Bronte’s classic novel skip with happiness. This Is My Theatre have given their unique styling to this utterly captivating adaptation of Jane Eyre, with the rawness and vulnerability of the heroine at its core. It’s an adaptation created with love for the novel, and instead of trying to skim over everything, it gives the heart of the novel: the relationship between Jane and Rochester, room to really breathe.

This is a slightly different production to their usual fast scene changing multi-rolling. Staging some of the dialogue and action in the audience aisle takes us to a different stage set up, and on one hand creates depth and intrigue. It would be lovely to see Jane’s face at the altar after the infamous revelation scene, as side glimpses of her emotional implosion are breathtaking and her trembling was heartbreaking.

This is a challenging story to adapt and produce. On the one hand, Jane is a hard luck story, a gothic tale of hardship with her physical and mental abuse running through it like a vein. Versions of the love story element often hard to believe, how this plain young shy girl, stoic, proper, religious, yet with incredible inner strength is attracted to the often haughty, distant, enigmatic, rich, tall and brooding Rochester: what on earth do they see in each other? Yet here, we understand it. Here, we see these two reveal themselves, that they are at core akin and alike; like mirrors to each other from different worlds. It’s so true and real between them it’s almost palpable.

This production has given these two actors a rare opportunity to really completely become Jane and Rochester: so up close to the audience that anything less than full commitment on top of incredible acting skill would destroy our belief in them. And believe them we do. The acting skills on show here from Isobel Rathband playing the titular character paired opposite Jack Prince as Rochester is off the charts. This is some of the best acting you will see in any theatre production, so too are Niall McDaid and Lily Smith who play the multitude of other characters between them. Their versatility in changing themselves with physical aspect and voice is jaw dropping: Niall McDaid’s contrast between Mr Brocklehurst and St John Rivers are so different and distinct yet actually allow similarities and parallels to be seen between them: an insanely difficult thing to do in character portrayal, yet he made it look easy.

There are so many moments of beauty in this production. Jane left holding the shawl of her friend Helen spoke volumes in a moment; and the violin and voice creation of the absent Bertha was so very well done. And the beating heart of this production is the stunning character work from Isobel Rathband and Jack Prince: they draw you in to their world where you know exactly what they are feeling, all that is spoken and unspoken, the connection like a ribbon of energy between them. Rochester’s accidental “Goodnight my – Goodnight Jane” as he corrects himself is a fleeting second where we hold our breath for what feels like an eternity. It’s a feeling of being drawn in: feeling like a long and slow close up in a film, where nothing exists outside of these two in their firefly emotionally cautious dance.

This is beautifully adapted, created and directed; and impeccably acted. The music accompaniment is an aspect unique to this company and is all their own. The creative team here: Sarah Slator, Chloe Bond, Ethan Taylor and Simon Stallard have truly excelled, giving us a slightly different flavour of the company in the depth of the character portrayals. This is absolutely first class which you are unlikely to see topped: a definite must see.

St Peter’s Church, 8 March 2026
Jane Eyre tour dates here
Photos Credit: Ethan Taylor