Jane Eyre

It is slightly hard to categorise this piece - a devised work with almost continuous musical underscore, surprisingly sparse dialogue, mime, movement and "jungle jim" set ... let's call it a play and just remember that it is actually so much more.

The large set of sawn wood and ladders encompases the "band" and provides a range of levels and locations for the performers - allowing them to travel huge distances without leavinfg the stage area and acting as house, cottage, orphange or whatever is required. Clerverly designed by Michael Vale and lit extremely effectively by Aideen Malone the set does everything the cast needs without getting in the way. Its visual simplicity allows us to concentrate on the story and that is precisely what the engrossed audience did.

Personally I loved seeing both parts in one day though there is a short "the story so far" segment at the start of the (much shorter) part 2 to help those who have to have a gap between. Unlike most adaptations there is quite a bit of time spent on Jane's life before she meets Rochester which helps to set her life in context but what I noticed most was that the usual dark claustrophobia of moost adaptations is gone - the story moves on a pace and feels open, fresh and somehow "new".

The cast are excellent and work incredibly hard to keep the story bowling along. Madeleine Worrall, as Jane, is one of the few  to stay with a single character as the remaining actors represent all the other people required (occasionally aided by the musicians) ... Felix Hayes is an excellent, imposing, Rochester and Criag Edwards' Pilot (yes, the dog) is a masterclass but all of the cast inhabit their various characters fully and credibly - a delightful ensemble piece.

This is the Bristol Old Vic at its best, taking a risk and getting it right - a beautiful day's theatre