Co-produced by the National Theatre and Bristol Old Vic

A bold new interpretation of Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel

by the in‑demand female director Sally Cookson

National Theatre Live presents

Jane Eyre

(English dialogue with Chinese subtitles)

Co-produced by the National Theatre and Bristol Old Vic, this production sees one of the most exciting female directors in British theatre today, Sally Cookson, offer a bold, female-led interpretation of the timeless masterpiece by 19th‑century literary genius Charlotte Brontë.

Challenging a romance classic that has been adapted and reimagined countless times over the past 180 years, Cookson’s version brings something uniquely her own. With a female writer, a female director and a female lead, it presents a distinctly feminine perspective: stripping away the superficial romance, the production does not focus solely on the turbulent relationship between Jane and Rochester. Instead, it uses physicality and music to chart Jane’s inner journey—her fight for freedom and her pursuit of independence.

Hailed as “spectacular” and “a masterpiece” by critics, the production has received five‑star reviews from The Daily Mail, The Observer, and The Sunday Mail, who praised it for “capturing the heartbeat of the novel”, calling it “captivating”, “magnificent”, “a blazing, feminist text”, and “a testament to the boundless imagination of theatre”. Actress Madeleine Worrall, who plays Jane Eyre, delivers a powerful performance. Her film credits include Tarzan, Paddington, and Bunny and the Bull, while her stage work includes Peter Pan, The Three Sisters, and numerous Shakespeare productions.