A note on casting from the authors: We are calling this a “chamber” version of Jane Eyre, because we have rewritten the original Broadway show so it can be performed by a much smaller group of artists. With a cast of 12 and a band of 7, companies are encouraged to play this material with the same collective sensitivity musicians employ when they play chamber music.
At its most economical, Jane Eyre can be performed with a cast of 11, comprising of 6 women, 4 men, and 1 child.
Woman 1 - JANE EYRE
Woman 2 - JANE’S MOTHER / SOPHIE / BLANCHE INGRAM
Woman 3 - SCATCHERD / MRS. FAIRFAX
Woman 4 - MRS. REED / GRACE POOLE / LADY INGRAM
Woman 5 - AGNES / HELEN BURNS / LEAH / MARY INGRAM
Woman 6 - ABBOT / BESSIE / BERTHA MASON
Man 1 - ROCHESTER
Man 2 - BROCKLEHURST / MASON
Man 3 - JOHN REED / THOMAS / LORD INGRAM / ST. JOHN RIVERS
Man 4 - JANE’S FATHER / ROBERT / VICAR
Child - YOUNG JANE / ADÈLE
Not quite so economical, a cast of 12 might be more comfortable, comprising of 7 women, 4 men, and 1 child.
Woman 1 - JANE EYRE
Woman 2 - JANE’S MOTHER / SOPHIE / BLANCHE INGRAM
Woman 3 - MRS. REED / BESSIE
Woman 4 - SCATCHERD / GRACE POOLE
Woman 5 - AGNES / HELEN BURNS / LEAH / MARY INGRAM
Woman 6 - ABBOT / BERTHA MASON / LADY INGRAM
Man 1 - ROCHESTER
Man 2 - BROCKLEHURST / ROBERT / VICAR
Man 3 - JOHN REED / THOMAS / LORD INGRAM / ST. JOHN RIVERS
Man 4 - JANE’S FATHER / MASON
Child - YOUNG JANE / ADÈLE
Our story's protagonist. A young, strong-willed woman who is outwardly quiet, watchful and shy.
Full of soul. Strong and willful.
Jane's cousin.
Jane's aunt.
A servant at Gateshead Hall
A servant at Gateshead Hall
The owner of Lowood School. He must be an imposing and frightening figure to Young Jane; cold-eyed, zealous and pontifical.
A teacher at Lowood.
A pupil at Lowood School and Young Jane's friend.
Rochester's elderly relation and the house-keeper of Thornfield Hall who is fussy, garrulous, and kind-hearted.
The Butler at Thornfield, he is dry and intelligent, and a martyr to Mrs. Fairfax's whims. An understanding and reliable servant to Rochester.
A maid at Thornfield
A maid at Thornfield
A maid at Thornfield
Rochester's ward.
Bertha Mason's minder and nurse who is caring and capable, and has an occasional fondness for the liquor pot.
The owner of Thornfield. An intelligent and powerful male presence, he has been greatly damaged by life and is therefore quite prickly and demanding, but has a keen sense of humor and engaging personality.
The clever, sophisticated, and stunningly beautiful woman who is to be married to Rochester. She is witty and graceful but also possesses a stunning voice.
Blanche Ingram's mother. An amply proportioned woman who wears an expression of almost insupportable haughtiness, her eyes are fierce and her voice deep. She is pompous and dogmatic.
Bertha Mason's brother.
Rochester's wife, kept in the attic of Thornfield Hall.
The vicar at the Parish of Thornfield.
The curate of the parish of Gateshead. He is a complex young man, passionately devoted to his Christian faith and duty.
Servants; Schoolgirls