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- Love Across Borders
- Run, Jane, run!
- More Myself than I Am at the Edinburgh Fringe
- Imaginative and Supernatural
- Jane Eyre Musical UK Premiere
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A recent talk at the 5th International Congress of Language and Translation Studies: by Özlem Recebli̇ Proceedings of the 5th International Congress of Language and Translation Studies (Selçuk University in Konya, Turkey, alongside the Azerbaijan University of Languages September 24–26, 2025), pp 626
Wide Sargasso Sea, written by Jean Rhys in 1966. It is the rewriting of Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre. The main character Antoinette grows up in a troubled environment marked by racial tensions and the aftermath of slavery. She and her family struggle with financial instability and social isolation. Also, Antoinette feels increasingly alienated from both the black and white communities around her. After her father’s death she and her mother Annette eventually marry foreign men. However, their relationships become strained due to cultural misunderstandings, and the reader sees kind a madwoman in the attic figure. In this context, this paper aims to analyse main character’s mother Annette's and main character Antoinette's change before and after their marriages to their husbands in the context of how migration, race, and class influence notions of love and emotions in the light of Chandra Talpade Mohanty’s ideas, particularly her critique of the homogenization of “Third World women” and the “Western feminist gaze”. The analysis will also explore the novel through the lens of the politics of location using the Caren Kaplan’s and Adrianne Rich’s ideas. Also, the paper aims to address the themes of madness, loneliness and migration interpreting Antoinette’s and Annette’s mental decline as a result of intersectional forces such as race, gender, class, and colonial displacement, echoing the insights of scholars like Eleanor Wilkinson and Denise Brennan. By examining how migration, race, and class influence notions of love and emotions, this paper underscores the importance of amplifying marginalized voices, regardless of the often painful or unjust conclusions of their stories.
Theatre and Tonic gives 3 stars to Jane Eyre Convention at Just the Tonic at the Mash House. More or less a reenactment of the Bronte novel, the piece focuses on four fans, well, three and a woman dropped off by her boyfriend because she has the same name as the protagonist, even if spelt differently. As they act out Jane Eyre, they learn about how the book is viewed today, but also its influences on their lives. The cast gel well together, never overshadowing each other and having their distinguishable personalities. But it does have to be said that Eleanor Zeal and Ben Everett Riley stand out as a true highlight, at times almost squabbling to the extent of mother and son. There isn’t much substance to the piece outside of Jane Eyre, we learn little things here and there but never overtakes the performance of the book. I didn’t really know anything about Jane Eyre going into this show and felt like it was explained well without ever going into high school English territory. The piece might have benefitted by a little more physicality or bringing some more comedy, as there were jokes here and there but I did struggle to tell if people were laughing or not. Jane Eyre Convention is an exciting way to learn the story written by Charlotte Bronte without ever diverging off into other plots. You will leave wanting to dawn a bonnet and run through the moors, before heading home for shortbread and a cup of Yorkshire tea. (Kerry)
Still on stage, Londonist recommends Jane Eyre the Musical. JANE EYRE: Catch the UK premiere of a musical adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's novel Jane Eyre, at Southwark Playhouse Elephant. We're promised the chance to "see Jane, the first feminist literary icon, like you never have before" accompanied by a powerful musical score. 28 August-24 October 2026
London Theatre interviews Jonathan Andrew Hume, who plays both Mr Brocklehurst and Mr Mason. Who do you play in Jane Eyre? I play two roles in the show: Brocklehurst, who is head of the school that young Jane [attends], as she leaves her home and begins her journey. He shapes the structure that society is asking young Jane to conform to, which later in the show she gets to break away from. He’s this towering inferno of a person. I also play Mason, who is Rochester’s friend and the brother of someone who I’m not going to mention now, as I don’t want to give away any spoilers! When we first meet him, he seems to be this nice, jovial soul, but later in the show he has a moment that shakes things up completely. I’m looking forward to that moment, and I think [writer] John Caird might actually have to keep a lid on some of the drama that I want to put into it! Why do you think the novel works as a musical? Jane is the protagonist but also the narrator of the piece. The ensemble, as well as Charlie [Burn, who plays adult Jane], are all the voice of Jane Eyre. So there are parts where the narrative is told by myself, or by somebody else. It really gets the audience to sit in as the character of Jane and go on that journey with her. The book is written from Jane’s point of view, so we can all be Jane and experience these things that happen in her life. [...] If you could give a character in the show one piece of advice, what would it be? Run, Jane, run! (Olivia Rook)
Just Watch describes the film adaptation of Victorian Psycho as '‘Jane Eyre’ Meets ‘American Psycho’'. Everyone loves a good period piece, and there's something to be said about the romance and whimsy of Jane Eyre-style period stories in particular. But while these tales are often lofty and low-stakes, A24's Victorian Psycho (2026) puts a twist on that you have to see to believe. (Nicholas Brooks) BBC News reports on Charli XCX's show at Reading Festival. The second act of the performance showcased the breadth of her work, as she moved from pop hit Track 10 from her 2017 mixtape, to the melancholic tones of House, which she co-wrote for the recent Wuthering Heights soundtrack album. (Naomi Clarke)
Parade has an article on the release of Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights in 1978.
Talking Shadows Company presents by Rebecca Vines The Space on the Mile, Aug 24-29 12:35 (50 mins)
A vivid exploration of how three sheltered young women from a remote Yorkshire parsonage created some of the most raw, violent and passionate literary works of all time. Charlotte: the ambitious dreamer. Emily: the intense loner. Anne: the gentle, would-be social reformer. And their brother Branwell: the brilliant "lost" boy whose disappointments served only to highlight the extraordinary success of his sisters.
An exhibition at the birthplace will delve into the building’s past, tracing its journey through a butcher’s shop, visitor attraction, café, and a community-owned heritage site. Thomas Haigh, vice chair and marketing and audience development lead at the Brontë Birthplace, said: "While the Brontë Birthplace will always be significant for being the first home of Charlotte, Emily, Anne, and Branwell, we know it enjoyed a rich history after their departure. "We want to share this 200-year story with our visitors as well as showcase the challenges, discoveries, and community effort behind the restoration and how this remarkable building continues to evolve and serve a new generation of visitors." The exhibition will feature photographs, plans, memories, and other artefacts that reveal the many lives of the building since the Brontë family lived there. A free walking tour of Thornton will also be offered as part of the Heritage Open Days programme. Led by local historian and Brontë family expert Paul Crossley, the two-hour tour will begin at the birthplace and take visitors to key sites including the Brontë Bell Chapel ruins, Kipping House, South Square Centre, and the village’s historic snickets and ginnels. The tour concludes at the Brontë Birthplace, where visitors can enjoy the café, browse the gift shop, or book a house tour. (...) The Brontë Birthplace exhibition will be open from 11am to 4pm on Sunday, September 13, with Mr Haigh available to answer questions from visitors. The walking tour will take place on Saturday, September 19, starting at 11am. Both events are free to attend. (Harry Williams)
FanCarpet gives the last details before the new production of Jane Eyre opens at Southwark Playhouse Elephant tonight: Perhaps the production's most distinctive feature is its ensemble-led approach. Rather than relying solely on Jane to narrate her own story, the entire company shares responsibility for carrying her voice throughout the performance. It is an imaginative theatrical device that preserves the novel's first-person perspective while embracing the collaborative nature of live theatre.
BookClub reviews Jennifer Vandever's The Brontë Project: However, having returned to it again, it has been a really good read and one that was unexpectedly so, delivering with its dialogue and its quirkiness as well as educating me a lot more about Charlotte Brontë. Sara is a research student whose specialism is Charlotte Brontë and in life, she is pretty certain that she knows where it's heading: she's going to get married to Paul and honeymoon in Paris and then, she's going to continue her research study and find undiscovered letters written by Charlotte which will propel her into the academic stratosphere. (Rachel Deeming)
Clarín (Argentina) highlights some romantasy books like The Knight and the Moth: El caballero y la polilla de la superventas Rachel Gillig. Un libro de fantasía oscura y romance que toma referencias de Jane Eyre y Juego de tronos. Una joven clarividente atrapada en una catedral y un caballero grosero, atractivo y sin respeto por las profecías. (Translation) The Sun's mini crossword contains a Brontë-related question today: Yorkshire town where the Brontë family lived. CALL FOR PAPERS! 📝 We're inviting proposals for papers on The Brontës and the Supernatural for a one day, in-person symposium in Haworth. 👻 This symposium seeks to broaden the parameters of Gothic scholarship on the Brontës by exploring the diverse supernatural traditions, beliefs and cultural narratives that informed the family’s imaginative and everyday worlds. We welcome new and original symposium paper proposals from academics, postgraduates and enthusiasts on topics that have perhaps received less attention. Proposals (of no more than 300 words) for 20-minute papers should be submitted to bronte@bronte.org.uk with the subject 'Symposium' by 31 December 2026.
And here it is, the London premiere of the Gordon & Caird Jane Eyre musical:
Adam Blanshay Productions and David & Hannah Mirvish present Music and Lyrics by Paul Gordon Book and Additional Lyrics by John Caird Co-Directed by John Caird and Megan McGinnis Georgina Lamb, Choreographer James Whiteside, Lighting Designer Southwark Playhouse - Elephant 28 Aug - 24 Oct 2026
With Charlie Burn as Jane Ashley Gilmour as Rochester Claire Greenway as Abbot / Grace Poole Melad Hamidi as St John / Lord Ingram Jonathan Andrew Hume as Brocklehurst / Mason Izzi Levine as Agnes / Leah / Jane’s Mother / Mary Ingram Hannah Lindsey as Scatcherd / Bertha Mason Isabelle Methven as Helen Burns / Bessie Gemma Page as Reed / Fairfax Eve Shanu-Wilson as Blanche / Sophie Connor Wood as John Reed / Vicar Poppy Jason as Young Jane / Adele Emily-Rose Samuel as Young Jane / Adele
The iconic tale reimagined for its UK premiere. “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.” This five-time Tony nominated musical retelling of Charlotte Brontë’s revolutionary novel makes its UK premiere. A story of ambition and independence, gothic mystery and great passionate love, Jane Eyre has enchanted generations and is brought into the 21st century with this new production. Accompanied by an epic sweeping score, prepare to see Jane, the first feminist literary icon, like you never have before. Co-directed by John Caird, best known for international hit Les Misérables, and Broadway veteran Megan McGinnis, with music by Daddy Long Legs’ Paul Gordon.
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