Jan McNulty Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 Northern Ballet prepares for World Première of Jane Eyre Join one of literature’s most iconic heroines on a journey of courage, romance and tragedy with the World Première of Northern Ballet’s Jane Eyre. Based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë and performed during the 200th anniversary of her birth, Northern Ballet will bring this beautiful love story to life at the Cast theatre in Doncaster from 19 – 21 May 2016before commencing a national tour to Richmond, Aylesbury, Wolverhampton, Stoke and Leicester until June 2016. Orphaned at a young age and cruelly treated by her Aunt, Jane Eyre is a plain but intelligent child who grows up knowing little kindness. Sent away to a charitable school, Jane later accepts a position as a Governess at Thornfield, a gentleman’s manor whose master is the dark and impassioned Mr Rochester. In spite of their social differences, an unlikely bond grows between the pair but as their romance develops, it becomes clear that Mr Rochester has a hidden past that threatens to ruin them both. The ultimate dramatic tale of romance, jealousy and dark secrets, Jane Eyre is the story of one woman’s indomitable spirit overcoming all boundaries. Jane Eyre is choreographed by internationally acclaimed British dance maker Cathy Marston who previously created the Dickens classic A Tale of Two Cities for Northern Ballet in 2008. For this new production, Cathy has brought onboard composer Philip Feeney to compile and arrange a score for Jane Eyre made up of original compositions and existing work. In addition, Patrick Kinmonth, who has worked closely with photographer Mario Testino and has designed over 20 theatrical productions, will design the sets and costumes. Completing the creative team, Alastair West, whose Northern Ballet credits include Giselle, I Got Rhythm, A Christmas Carol and The Architect, will design the lighting. Cathy Marston said: ‘Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre was a novel far ahead of its time and when I think of Jane I feel inspired by images of her passionate but 'impossible' relationship with Mr Rochester, the fire and emotional destruction symbolised by Bertha Mason - the infamous 'woman in the attic', the contrasting icy moorland through which she seems to run from one chapter of her life to another, and of course her final reunion with Rochester. But these images only touch the surface of a character and a book that continue to provoke and move - generation after generation, re-read after re-read.’ Northern Ballet’s Artistic Director David Nixon OBE said: ‘Having already adapted Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights it seems appropriate that Northern Ballet should also immortalise her sister’s Jane Eyre through dance and doing so in the bicentennial anniversary of Charlotte Brontë’s birth makes it all the more special.’ Join Northern Ballet for this beautifully timeless tale told through the Company’s unique blend of classical ballet and drama. Tickets are on sale now, for more details and booking information visit northernballet.com/jane-eyre. -ENDS- Notes to Editors For more details of Northern Ballet's tour, on sale dates and booking information, please visit northernballet.com/whatson. Nominated for Outstanding Company at the 2015 National Dance Awards and voted Best Company at the 2014 TaglioniEuropean Ballet Awards, Northern Ballet is one of the UK’s five large ballet companies. Based in Leeds it performs throughout the UK as well as overseas. Northern Ballet’s productions mix classical dance and theatre, embracing popular culture and taking inspiration from literature, opera, or giving a unique interpretation of popular classical ballets. Northern Ballet is the busiest touring ballet company in the UK and is typically on the road for around 32 weeks of the year. The Company of 45 dancers tours a combination of full-length new work and established repertoire to cities throughout the UK. Northern Ballet also tours widely with its ballets for children, all four of which have been adapted for TV by CBeebies, and also performs a mixed programme showcasing the versatility of its dancers. Production Credits Choreography & Direction Cathy Marston Music Philip Feeney Set & Costume Design Patrick Kinmonth Lighting Design Alastair West Jane Eyre – Tour Dates Doncaster, Cast (World Première) 19 – 21 May 2016 Box Office 01302 303 959 castindoncaster.com Richmond Theatre 31 May – 1 Jun 2016 Box Office 0844 871 7651* atgtickets.com/richmond Aylesbury, Waterside Theatre 3 – 4 Jun 2016 Box Office 0844 871 7607* atgtickets.com/aylesbury Wolverhampton, Grand Theatre 10 – 11 Jun 2016 Box Office 01902 429 212 grandtheatre.co.uk Stoke, Regent Theatre 14 – 15 Jun 2016 Box Office 0844 871 7649* atgtickets.com/regent-theatre Leicester, Curve Theatre 17 – 18 Jun 2016 Box Office 0116 242 3595 curveonline.co.uk See northernballet.com/whatson for updates. Subject to change. *Calls to 0844 numbers are charged at up to 7p per minute plus your phone Company’s access charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted April 21, 2016 Author Share Posted April 21, 2016 Northern Ballet have released some rehearsal photographs: http://northernballet.com/jane-eyre/rehearsal-photos Today (21st April) It is also the 200th anniversary of Charlotte Bronte's birth: http://northernballet.com/blogs/northern-ballet/21-04-18/happy-birthday-charlotte-bronte Report in the Yorkshire Evening Post, including a couple of photographs of Hannah Bateman and Javier Torres in the National Portrait Gallery: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/love-story-on-tour-to-mark-200-years-since-bronte-s-birth-1-7865326 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 I see they are going to Richmond Theatre only two days but can make June 1st. Haven't been there for a few years now but it's a lovely old theatre .....not sure how it would be for dancers though! I regularly used to go to the Panto there between the ages of 10 and 14! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted April 21, 2016 Author Share Posted April 21, 2016 They were there last year with Perpetuum Mobile/Butterfly so will know the theatre from that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted April 22, 2016 Author Share Posted April 22, 2016 A Youtube film has been released of Cathy Marston talking about Jane Eyre and showing some rehearsal footage with Hannah Bateman and Javier Torres: 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aileen Posted April 22, 2016 Share Posted April 22, 2016 Is that Richmond in Yorkshire or Richmond on the outskirts of London? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted April 22, 2016 Author Share Posted April 22, 2016 Richmond on the outskirts of London. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aileen Posted April 22, 2016 Share Posted April 22, 2016 Can anyone remind me what Cathy Marston brought to the Linbury a couple of years ago and which company performed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 It's a pity not there for at least a few more days to give more people a chance to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 Here's a short film with some rehearsal extracts and an interview with Hannah Bateman. I can't wait for 19th May! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mallinson Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Can anyone remind me what Cathy Marston brought to the Linbury a couple of years ago and which company performed it. I suspect you're thinking of Hexenhatz / Witch-hunt which she brought with her Bern Ballett company three years ago. Discussed here 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted May 4, 2016 Author Share Posted May 4, 2016 Another short film with some rehearsal footage and an interview with Hannah Bateman: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 No matinees at either southern venue, so that rules out Aylesbury entirely, and means I would have to sacrifice my hard-earned RB mixed bill or Crystal Pite to make Richmond Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted May 22, 2016 Author Share Posted May 22, 2016 That's the pattern of midscale Alison - they do the children's ballet during the day. It's Tortoise and the Hare this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 I know: I just hadn't realised it *was* a midscale tour. Will it eventually appear at full-scale theatres, do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aileen Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 NB brought Cleopatra and Gatsby to the Wells and so there's a good chance that they will bring Jane Eyre to the Wells next year. The company seem to come to London in May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted May 22, 2016 Author Share Posted May 22, 2016 I know: I just hadn't realised it *was* a midscale tour. Will it eventually appear at full-scale theatres, do you think? I hope so! Don't forget 1984 opens at SW on Tuesday. I'll bring my newly acquired badge at the weekend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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