Jane Eyre: an autobiography

adapted from Charlotte Bronte's novel by Dougie Blaxland

Image by Andre Pattenden

Programme

In the face of the isolation and abandonment of a loveless childhood, Jane Eyre refuses to bend to the will of her abusers. But does she achieve the independence and equality that she craves, and does her resistance change anything? Hailed as a “brilliantly engaging piece of drama”, Live Wire and Roughhouse Theatres’ inventive exploration of the status of women in society make this critically acclaimed dramatisation as relevant today as Charlotte Bronte’s original novel was 178 years ago.

“… as fine a stage adaptation of a novel as you are likely to see – a five star show in every sense.”
Bath Chronicle ***** (5-Stars)

“…gave my soul a little hug…”
Intermission ***** (5-Stars)

“…first-class performance in a first-class production.”
British Theatre Guide ***** (5-Stars)

Jane Eyre in 2025

The timing of Live Wire and RoughHouse Theatre’s revival of their critically acclaimed production of Charlotte Bronte’s timeless classic Jane Eyre: an autobiography is highly significant in that 2025 marks a poignant anniversary in the great novelist’s life.

200 years ago, in the Spring of 1825, when Charlotte was only nine years of age, both of her older sisters - Maria and Elizabeth - died of consumption within weeks of each other at just 10 and 11 years old respectively.

As RoughHouse Theatre’s Shane Morgan explains, “there is no doubt that the devastating impact of Maria and Elizabeth’s deaths at such a young age was key to the germination of the Jane Eyre whose orphaned heroine endures childhood loss, rejection and isolation as she embarks on her quest for familial love and somewhere to belong."

Adapted for the stage by Dougie Blaxland and produced by the same creative team that won the 2021 National Campaign for the Arts Award, Live Wire and Roughhouse Theatre’s Jane Eyre: an autobiography has been hailed “a theatrical tour de force from a company with a rare gift for bringing classics to life with loyalty, energy and intrigue” (Female Arts).

Central to bringing Jane Eyre: an autobiography back to the stage 178 years after its original publication is what RoughHouse Theatre's Moira Hunt describes as “its compelling relevance for women in the 21st Century” arguing that “Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre broke the mould of the Victorian female stereotype through its dramatisation of a woman of independent mind and means who refuses to be subservient in any way to her male counterparts.”

Alison Campbell - a graduate of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School - who is reprising her role as Jane Eyre - believes that “the revival of the production to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the death of Maria and Elizabeth Bronte is of great significance in honouring the extraordinary Bronte family as a whole and
highlighting the creative genius that emerged in the face of tragedy.”

Meet The Team

Alison campbell

Alison Campbell is a West Country actor who trained at Bretton Hall and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Recent theatre work includes: We Don't Live Here Anymore with
the Jakop Ahlbom Company in the Netherlands, the role of Lizzy in the premiere of Lung Water and as conductor of the Foley Grail tour in association with Monty Python.

Film Credits include Golden Years, Dark Game and Game which is due for
release later this year.

She has been a performer with the award-winning Natural Theatre Company for ten years, performing devised comedy and surreal characters across the country and around the world.

Alison also works extensively as a Voice Actor, is a BBC Norman Beaton Fellowship Finalist and the award-winning narrator of 200 audiobooks on Audible.

She first started working in audiobooks following the previous tour of Jane Eyre in 2015 so has a lot to thank Jane for!

Dougie blaxland

Dougie Blaxland is the recipient of FIVE Peggy Ramsay Grants. His work has been staged across the UK at venues including The Park Theatre, London, Royal & Derngate Northampton and The Theatre Royal Bath.

Recent credits include Our Little Hour (UK Tour 2024), On The Ropes (Park Theatre London), Unknown (UK Tour 2021 - 2022), Getting The Third Degree (UK Tour 2019), The Long Walk Back (UK Tour 2019), When the Eye Has Gone (UK Tour 2015 - 2016).

Awards include the National Campaign for the Arts Best Arts Project for N17 |(2021), Salford Star Best New Play for Getting The Third Degree (2019) Raising New Voices Best Play Award for Never Any Fruit (2009) Brighton Festival Best Solo Play for Chauntecleer & Pertelotte (2008).

Moira hunt

Moira Hunt is Director of Roughhouse Theatre and has extensive
experience of working as a director, producer and movement director.

She trained in Australia at Charles Sturt University, Bathurst and with Theatre is Moving for whom she also performed under Leisa Shelton.

Her work includes Glitz Dies! (Performance Space, Sydney as Director in Residence), The Sneeze (Director, Victoria and Albert Museum, London), The House of Bernarda Alba (Movement Director for Theatre Royal Bath), Henry Walker and the Wheel of Death (Movement Director, Rondo Theatre, Bath), Hands Up For Jonny Wilkinson's Right Boot (Movement Director and Director, National Tour), When The Eye Has Gone (Movement Director) and The Long Walk Back (Movement Director), Getting The Third Degree (Director), Unknown (Director). Moira was producer of the award winning audio documentary N17.

Moira is Head of Physical Theatre at Circomedia.

shane morgan

Shane trained at Royal Welsh College of Music and drama and is Dircetor of RoughHouse Theatre. He is a performer, director, producer, writer and facilitator.
His work includes stage adaptations of the Nick Hornby short story
NippleJesus and the Daniel Wallace novel Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician under the title Henry Walker and the Wheel of Death.

His recent directing credits include The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Hands Up For Jonny Wilkinson's Right Boot,When The Eye Has Gone, The Long Walk Back, Getting The Third Degree and Unknown.

Shane was editor and producer of the award winning audio documentary N17.
He is an Associate Director of the Rondo Theatre, Bath and has regularly contributed to BBC Radio Bristol, Broadway World, Bristol 24/7 and as a syndicated writer for My Theatre Mates.

Shane produces and hosts The Green Room for Islington Radio and is a Project

Coordinator for Glyndebourne.

The company wish to thank ...

Natural Theatre Company, Saltford Community Association, King Edward School Bath, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Andre Pattenden, Craig Fuller, all of our wonderful venues and their staff