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Jane Eyre The Musical

Music by Paul Gordon

Jane Eyre Recommended Resources

Plot Summary & Audition Notes

List of Characters in Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre Sheet Music

Jane Eyre Sheet Music @ Amazon.com

Jane Eyre 2000 Broadway Cast Recording

Based on the classic novel by Bronte.

Because Jane Eyre has so many small roles, most productions will choose to double roles together to create more substantial parts for their performers and to minimize the cast size.

Adele (Mezzo - B below middle C to E above, 8 - 10)
This part needs a clever, funny and sweet-natured child actress, capable of playing a pretty, self-dramatizing and vain little French coquette. Doubling possibilities: A Schoolgirl at Lowood.
Amy Eshton (Soprano or Alto, 20 - 25)
Mr Eshton’s younger daughter - pretty, child-like and naïve. Doubling possibilities: Can double with Helen Burns or a Schoolgirl at Lowood.
Bertha ( Mezzo - middle C sharp to C sharp an octave higher, 35 - 50)
Mason Rochester’s mad wife, kept in the attic of Thornfield Hall. Another part for a gifted actress. Bertha can be played in different ways - as a strangely beautiful but criminally deranged bride, stuck, like Miss Havisham, at the moment of her last happiness, or as a coarsened and violent heavy-weight almost de-humanized by her years of madness. Either way will work - or a mixture of both. Room for great invention here.
Blanche Ingram (Coloratura soprano, 20 - 30)
The clever, sophisticated and stunningly beautiful lady who Jane, and the audience, must believe is to be married to Rochester. The actress playing the part must have wit and grace and charm, but her chief attraction must be a fabulous soprano voice with which she can dominate Jane and Rochester and the audience.
Colonel Dent (Baritone or Tenor, 55 - 70)
A neighbour of Rochester’s - a choleric old campaigner with an eye for the young women.
Edward Fairfax Rochester (High Baritone - B an octave below middle C to a big G above, 35)
Rochester is intelligent, sophisticated and a powerful male presence. He has been greatly damaged by life and is therefore quite prickly and demanding, but he has a keen sense of humor and a graceful and engaging personality. Like Jane, he need not be particularly handsome - he should rather be strong and dark and just a little frightening to all but Jane.
Grace Poole (Mezzo, 30 - 60)
Bertha Mason’s minder and nurse. This is a difficult role for a good actress, who must suggest to the audience that there is a danger and mystery about Grace that may even include the possibility that she is the mad arsonist of Jane’s worst fears. She is actually a capable and caring woman with an occasional fondness for the liquor pot.
Helen Burns (Mezzo - A below middle C to C sharp an octave above, 14 - 16)
This part could be played by an adult actress playing down in age, or a child actress of the right age. Whoever plays it must be of a strong, calm and spiritual demeanor. Helen teaches the young Jane her most important lesson in life, so the audience must be engaged by her intellectually and emotionally. Her song ‘Forgiveness’ is very hard to sing, so if a child plays the part she must be a truly accomplished singer.
Jane Eyre (Alto/Mezzo - F sharp below middle C to E a 10th above , 18 - 20)
Jane is a strong-willed and passionate young woman but outwardly quiet, watchful and shy. In many ways the character is a self-portrait of Charlotte Bronte herself, thus she has all the complexities and contradictions inherent in the possessor of a profound spiritual inner life. The actress who plays her should not be physically attractive in an obvious way, but instead should have a beauty born of calmness, humor and strength.
John Reed (Non-singing, 12 - 15)
Mrs. Reed’s horrible little son, cruel, manipulative and violent. This part could be played by a clever child actor or by an adult actor playing down in age.
Doubling possibilities: Lord Ingram and/or a Servants at Thornfield and/or the Vicar of Thornfield.
Lady Ingram (Soprano or Alto, 50 - 70)
Blanche Ingram’s mother. An amply proportioned woman who wears an expression of almost insupportable haughtiness, her eyes fierce and hard and her voice deep, pompous and dogmatical. The part needs an actress with comic skill and a strong stage presence. Doubling possibilities: Doubles well with Mrs. Reed. Could also double with Miss Scatcherd or Marigold.
Lord Ingram (Tenor, 20 - 30)
Also called ‘Tedo’, Blanche Ingram’s brother. He is languid and self-important and in a state of almost constant boredom. Doubling possibilities: Doubles well with John Reed, but could also play St. John Rivers or the Vicar of Thornfield.
Louisa Eshton (Soprano or Alto, 20 - 30)
Mr Eshton’s elder daughter - she is not unattractive but very myopic and a little slow on the uptake. Doubling possibilities: Can double with Helen Burns or a Schoolgirl at Lowood.
Marigold (30 - 50)
A servant at Lowood School. An ex-schoolgirl herself, she has been kept on to do the dirty kitchen work and cleaning. She is semi-moronic and entirely without humor. Doubling possibilities: A good double with Mrs. Fairfax, or with Bertha Mason.
Mary Ingram (Soprano/Alto, 18 - 25)
Blanche’s sister - sharp-faced and catty, constantly smirking under her breath at someone else¹s expense. Doubling possibilities: Doubles with Helen Burns, or a Schoolgirl at Lowood.
Miss Scatcherd (Mezzo - D above middle C to D an octave higher, 35 - 60)
A teacher at Lowood. A hard-faced and embittered middle-aged woman whose nature has been warped by dogged obedience to Mr. Brocklehurst and a natural distrust of anything unusual or imaginative. Doubling possibilities: Could double with Bertha Mason and either Mrs. Dent or Lady Ingram. She could also double with Mrs. Fairfax, but it means a very quick change.
Mr. Brocklehurst (High Baritone - D below middle C to G above, 40 - 60)
The owner of Lowood School. He must be an imposing and frightening figure to Young Jane - cold-eyed, zealous and pontifical. Doubling possibilities: He could be doubled with one character out of Colonel Dent, Mr Eshton, Mr Mason, or the Butler at Thornfield. An interesting thematic double is St. John Rivers, the other religiously driven character.
Mr. Eashton (Baritone or Tenor, 50 - 60)
The local magistrate and a neighbour of Rochester’s - a charming but ineffectual middle-aged widower. Doubling possibilities: Can double with St. John Rivers, or the Vicar at Thornfield, and/or Mr. Brocklehurst.
Mrs. Dent (Soprano/Alto, 40 - 60)
The wife of Colonel Dent - a pale, fair-haired, sweet-natured middle-aged woman, utterly under the mighty thumb of Lady Ingram. Doubling possibilities: Doubles well with Miss Scatcherd or Marigold. Can also double with Grace Poole or Bertha Mason.
Mrs. Fairfax (Alto - F below middle C to C an octave above, 55 - 75)
Rochester’s elderly relation and the house-keeper of Thornfield Hall. This is essentially a comic role, though the comedy should never be over-done. The character is fussy, garrulous, kind-hearted and deaf. She has two major songs which are comedic in style, but the actress must also be able to touch the audience’s heart-strings at certain moments in the show. A gifted comic actress is required. Doubling possibilities: Can double with Marigold at Lowood School.
Mrs. Reed (Mezzo - Eb above middle C to F an octave above, 50 - 60)
Jane’s aunt. She is a middle-aged woman of a cold and over-bearing nature. A difficult role, the actress playing her must be able to convey a brittle strength which turns to madness and vulnerability on her death-bed in the second act. Doubling possibilities: Can be doubled with one of the older aristocratic women - Lady Ingram or Mrs. Dent.
Richard Mason (Tenor - C below middle C to G above, 45 - 60)
Bertha Mason’s brother and therefore Rochester’s brother-in-law. He is a gentleman, well-off and well educated but a weak man, haunted by the wrong he has done to Rochester and the need to care for his deranged, unhappy sister.Doubling possibilities: Could be doubled with Mr. Brocklehurst.
Robert (High Baritone - Bb an octave below middle C to middle Bb, 30 - 50)
The Butler at Thornfield. Robert is dry and intelligent and kind, a martyr to Mrs. Fairfax’s whims, deafness and dottiness. An understanding and reliable servant to Rochester. Not a big part but a very present one. Doubling possibilities: Could double with Mr. Brocklehurst or with St. John Rivers.
Schoolgirls (Mezzo - D above middle C to E an octave higher, 8 - 18)
Lowood is a school for girls of all ages from 8 to 18. However many girls end up on stage, they should all be played with great discipline and attention to detail. They should be in uniform attire but not of uniform personality. Though not amongst the poorest of society, they are certainly down-trodden, hungry and cold, though not dirty and debased. Read the novel for more detail! Doubling possibilities: One of the girls can double with Adele.
Servants (Non-singing, flexible ages)
Thornfield Hall is full of servants - a variety of Chambermaids and Parlourmaids and Bootboys and Stable Hands and Kitchen Skivvies - whenever a scene requires them and actors are available. Doubling possibilities: Whatever is possible.
St. John Rivers (Tenor/High baritone - C below middle C to G above middle C, 25 - 35)
The curate of the parish of Gateshead, caring for Mrs Reed at her death. St.John (pronounced Sinjun) is a complex and interesting young man, passionately devoted to his Christian faith and duty. He falls in love with Jane because he recognizes a fellow spiritual intelligence. He should be appealing and handsome - a dramatic contrast to Rochester and a man the audience could seriously think that Jane might marry. Doubling possibilities: Doubles with any of the other male roles except the Vicar at Thornfield. Possible thematic double with Mr. Brocklehurst.
The Ensemble (wide ranges, all ages)
All the actors in the play are also members of the Ensemble with the exception of those playing Jane and Rochester. Different productions will use them in different ways, the only absolute requirement being that there is a good and resonant vocal balance for the Ensemble’s sung contributions.
The Vicar (High Baritone, 50 - 70)
His function in the play is to preside over the abortive wedding between Jane and Rochester and then witness Rochester’s subsequent confession. Doubling possibilities: Mr. Brocklehurst, and/or one of the older aristocrats - Colonel Dent or Mr Eshton.
Young Jane Eyre (Mezzo - D above middle C to D an octave higher, age 10)
This is a good part for a gifted child actress. Obviously she should be cast after it has been decided who should play the older Jane, as a physical similarity is greatly to be desired. Young Jane is strong and willful and full of soul.

Jane Eyre Related Websites

Audition Preparation Resources

List of Songs in Jane Eyre

  • Secrets Of The House (Ensemble)
  • Let Me Be Brave (Helen Burns)
  • Children Of God (Schoolgirls, Miss Scatcherd, Mr. Brocklehurst, Mrs.Reed)
  • Forgiveness (Helen Burns)
  • The Fever (Bertha)
  • The Farewell (Edward Rochester)
  • Sweet Liberty (Jane Eyre, Ensemble)
  • Perfectly Nice (Mrs. Fairfax, Robert, Jane Eyre, Adele)
  • The Icy Lane (Margurite, Ensemble)
  • The Master Returns (Mrs. Fairfax, Robert, Jane Eyre, Rochester)
  • The Governess
    As Good As You (Edward Rochester)
    Sirens (Jane Eyre, Edward Rochester, The Figure)
  • Society's Best (Mrs. Fairfax, Jane)
  • Finer Things (Blanche Ingram)
  • Enchanté
  • The Pledge (Jane Eyre, Edward Rochester)
  • Secret Soul (Jane Eyre, Edward Rochester)
  • Painting Her Portrait (Jane Eyre)
  • In The Light Of The Virgin Morning (Blanche Ingram, Jane Eyre)
  • Oh Sister
    Second Self
  • The Chestnut Tree (Grace Poole, Ensemble)
  • Slip Of A Girl (Mrs. Fairfax, Robert, Jane Eyre, Adele)
  • The Wedding (Vicar, Ensemble)
    Wild Boy
    Child In The Attic
  • The Voice Across The Moors (St. John Rivers, Jane Eyre, Edward)
  • Brave Enough For Love (Jane Eyre, Edward Rochester, Ensemble)

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