Big Little brings West End experience to the South

One of the South’s most successful youth theatre companies has embarked on its most ambitious project yet, and it’s leaving nothing to chance.  The Big Little Theatre School brings new levels of professionalism to its production of the Broadway show “Jane Eyre - A Musical Drama” with West End directors and specialist stage effects and set design. John Caird (Les Miserables) and Paul Gordon’s musical adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s classic tale of passion, tragedy and forgiveness won the show no less than five TONY award nominations on the occasion of its Broadway premiere in 2000. Now, some of the West End stars of tomorrow are bringing Bronte’s Gothic romance to life in one of the first performances to be staged here in the UK. Directing is Graham Hubbard whose impressive achievements include directing West End productions of Amadeus, Sweeney Todd and Mack and Mabel.  “The challenge of producing “Jane Eyre - The Musical” for Big Little was irresistible”, says Graham.  “The company’s talent belies their age, and who better to bring Charlotte Bronte’s classic love story to a new generation than performers from that generation itself”.

Musical Director Colin Billing has recently been working on the West End production of Avenue Q as well as the international tours of Mamma Mia and Chess, and is a regular musical director and vocal coach at the prestigious London School of Musical Theatre.   “Forget everything you ever feared about youth productions”, says Colin. “The huge vocal talent and natural acting ability of the cast is more than a match for the moving lyrics and sumptuous musical score.”

Natasha Barnes from Ringwood plays Jane Eyre. Natasha is no stranger to lead performances, amateur and professional.  She played the title role in The Diary of Anne Frank, Cosette in Les Miserables in Concert with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Marta Von Trapp in the The Sound of Music and the title role of Annie in Fastlane’s Touring company for the National Youth Music Theatre.  Natasha has also worked extensively for BBC Radio Drama, performing in classic serials and radio plays including The Day I Finished Off Charlotte Bronte.  Natasha studies singing with the renowned Tenor ‘Jon Andrew’ and works locally with him and the Silhouette Opera supporting local charities.  

The part of Rochester is played by John Sandberg from Bournemouth.  John is a prominent member of the BLTS ‘Vision’ Cabaret group and recently performed as the lead, R.P McMurphy in One flew Over the Cuckoos Nest with Poole Grammar School. Operatically trained by Jon Andrew, John was also one of the few selected to perform in Children of Eden, the Steven Schwartz Broadway hit as produced by BLTS in 2006.
 
A total cast of 45 young people, selected via auditions from the 250 strong  main company  are involved in bringing “Jane Eyre – The Musical” to the stage, and the production will benefit from 21st Century imagery and sensory set design to create an authentic feel for the period.   The set has been designed to transport the audience seamlessly from the cold dormitories of Lowood School, through bleak English moorland, to the interior of a Gothic mansion. Superb costumes reflect the fashions of the 19th century by recreating authentic colours and fabrics from the Bronte era.

Broadway and West End musical theatre pedigree, soaring melodies’ imaginative sets and contemporary innovation, lavish costumes, prodigious young talent and a classic love story by one of the most popular English writers of all time.  It doesn’t get much better than that.

The Big Little Theatre School’s production of “Jane Eyre – A Musical Drama” is being staged at the Regent Centre, Christchurch from April 11th – 14th.  Tickets are available from the Regent Centre box office on 01202 499148. Prices from £12.00 (£10.00 concessions) .

For any further information contact: julie.barnes@biglittletheatreschool.co.uk