One of my favorite novels as a young reader was “Jane Eyre,” Charlotte Brontë classic 1847 novel about two kindred spirits who find happiness against all odds.
The 175-year-old love story has been retold many times in films and in TV mini-series, a 1966 prequel novel by Jean Rhys and even a musical that had its pre-Broadway tryout at La Jolla Playhouse in 1999. It’s latest adaptation opened Saturday at Lamb’s Players Theatre in Coronado.
Playwright David McFadzean, who has premiered seven previous plays at Lamb’s over the years, has faithfully adapted Brontë’s novel but gives the story a twist with the title “Jane: A Ghost Story.” Without spilling any beans about the novel’s plot, I’m not sure that’s an accurate depiction of the book, but the production’s whispering gargoyle statues and mysterious screams are definitely spooky.
The highlight of both McFadzean’s script and the production is the authentic depiction of governess Jane Eyre, an outspoken, strong-willed and coltish woman who doesn’t conform to the societal mores for women of that period. Natasha Harris is perfectly cast in the role at Lamb’s. She’s fierce, bold and plain-spoken in the role. And though she’s too pretty to be the plain Jane of the novel, her minimal makeup and Jemima Dutra’s simple, homely costumes help.
Condensing a 450-page novel into a two-hour, 20-minute, play means some things have to go. It’s good that McFadzean captured Jane’s unhappy formative years at Gateshead Hall and Lowood School, but Jane’s romantic relationship with her employer Edward Rochester gets far too little stage time in the play.
Natasha Harris as Jane Eyre and Manny Fernandes as Edward Rochester in Lamb’s Players Theatre’s “Jane: A Ghost Story.”
(Courtesy of J.T. MacMillan)
The scene where they meet — when Jane spooks Edward’s horse and he tumbles to the ground — is wonderfully staged by director Robert Smyth. But after that, Harris and Manny Fernandes (who aptly plays the gruff and aloof Edward) have very little stage time together and the actors exhibit none of the passion or chemistry their characters share in the novel. The play has just a just a couple of brief scenes of their playful sparring before Edward suddenly announces his intention to marry Jane, while in the book their unusual May-December relationship develops gradually over 11 chapters.
Filling out the cast of characters from the novel are eight actors who each play multiple roles: Sam Ashdown, Sandy Campbell, Cynthia Gerber, Caitie Grady, Jordan Miller, Lizzie Morse, Marci Anne Wuebben and Eddie Yaroch. Ashdown is particularly memorable as the Rev. St. John Rivers; Morse stands out as Jane’s childhood friend Helen; Wuebben as Jane’s gentle nursemaid Bessie; and Grady as Blanche, Jane’s lovely by cruel rival for Edward’s affection.
The play’s physical production is simple, but nicely done, with sound by Deborah Gilmour Smyth (who also co-directs the play), projections by Christian Turner, lighting by Nathan Peirson, sound by Patrick Duffy and Dutra’s costumes.
Fans of the novel “Jane Eyre” will recognize the characters they love in this play, and Smyth’s lively staging builds thoughtfully to the big secret at the center of the story. But the novel is not a ghost story. It’s a love story about two passionate misfits who are lucky enough to find one another and — after overcoming huge hurdles — find happiness together. And for now, that story is not being completely told in this play.
‘Jane: A Ghost Story’
When: 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays; 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Nov. 12
Where: Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado
Tickets: $28-$82
Phone: (619) 437-6000
Online: lambsplayers.org