We reviewed Northern’s Ballet Jane Eyre at Nottingham Theatre Royal

Pointe shoes took over the stage as a classic novel was brought to life in a dramatic retelling that offered elegance and power.

Northern Ballet’s adaptation of Jane Eyre is currently showing at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal, inviting spectators to see the story based on Charlotte Brontë’s class novel take on the challenge of storytelling through movement and expression.

I would agree that it is a challenge to tell a story through dancing as it might leave some audience members struggling to follow the plot without prior knowledge of the original text.

With no spoken word or narration, having an understanding of the storyline in advance is highly recommended.

While the first act felt slower in pace, the performers’ technical skill was immediately evident as dancers — choreographed by Cathy Marston — slid across the stage with grace and precision, creating a mesmerising atmosphere.

The silence as dancers transitioned from movement to movement and floated around the stage so effortlessly was absolutely impressive, such controlled emotion that it is hard to understand how it is possible.

The prologue begins with Jane running from male figures who she believes in part of her traumatic childhood until she collapses, only to be found by a man. (Plot twist — this part will not only happen once but twice!)

The first act goes through Jane Eyre’s troubled childhood and her first encounters with Edward Rochester at Thornfield Hall, which slowly leads to a more intense second act.

The second act brought a noticeable shift, whoever considered the first act slower was definitely awake for the second part as not only did the dancers bring more drama and power but the orchestra brought a darker and louder sound to the stage.

This act definitely delivered a vibrant and engaging experience as the choreography became bolder, and the narrative momentum finally took hold and offered the audience a mixture of love, wedding, jealousy and a sense of broken, which raises the question of — does love conquer it all?

Jane Eyre tells the story of a young woman who goes through a traumatic childhood, only to navigate through her independent and forbidden love.

The ballet was accompanied by a live orchestra, which in my opinion deserves just as much praise as the dancers as without the music echoing in every corner of the venue, the story and dance wouldn’t have as much power.

Every beat matches every step and emotion perfectly, making it the perfect classic novel retelling.

While the production may not be the easiest for ballet newcomers to follow, its elegance, atmosphere, and emotional weight make for a compelling and rewarding experience — particularly in its powerful second half. — MT