A powerful trailblazing adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s much-loved classic Jane Eyre is set to be staged at Storyhouse this autumn.

The imaginative and inspiring new production will be presented at the Chester cultural venue from Tuesday, 10 November to Saturday, 21 November 2026.

Tickets go on sale to Storyhouse Members today Thursday 30 April, and on general sale from tomorrow, Friday 1 May.

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me.”

Orphaned as a young girl, the passionate and sensitive Jane Eyre longs to escape the clutches of her cruel aunt. Freedom beckons when she is offered the job of governess in the house of the brooding and secretive Mr Rochester.

As intrigue turns to attraction, Jane finds herself drawn in by Rochester’s mercurial charm. But when the truth finally comes out, she will be forced to choose between the man she wants – and the woman she wants to be.

Jane Eyre is a co-production between Storyhouse, the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, and Rose Theatre Kingston and is presented in association with Northern Stage and supported by agrant from the Royal Theatrical Support Trust (RTST).

It is based on Sally Cookson, Mike Akers and the original company’s acclaimed adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s groundbreaking novel and will be directed by 2025 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award winner Lily Dyble.

The annual RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award is designed to provide an up-and-coming director with a first-time, career-breakthrough opportunity to originate and direct, as sole or lead director, a fully funded production as part of a main stage season of plays at a leading regional UK theatre and to tour to other similar venues. Storyhouse was on the panel of the 2025 awards.

Director Lily Dyble says: “What I see at the heart of this story is courage in the face of the unknown. Jane Eyre reminds us of the risk and enormity of love, but also how uncertainty can breed hope as well as fear; that we can choose to fiercely love each other and ourselves, even within chaos, and even when our old lives have been lost to the fire.

“I’m thrilled to be bringing Jane’s story to audiences across England this autumn, with the support of four wonderful venues and the RTST.”

Meanwhile Jane Eyre is one of several adaptations of classics announced under the Storyhouse Originals banner for 2026. It follows a critically acclaimed new staging of Macbeth last month.

Storyhouse Originals is the Chester venue’s strand of vibrant and imaginative homegrown productions. Previous shows include Miss Julie, Bluestockings, Sophocles’ Antigone, Faustus: That Damned Woman, The Parent Agency and Kinky Boots, as well as Storyhouse’s popular annual Christmas productions and shows at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre.

Helen Redcliffe, Head of Producing at Storyhouse said today: “One of the key themes of Jane Eyre is personal discovery and development, which feels especially fitting as we celebrate the RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award and its commitment to championing the next generation of theatre-makers. At Storyhouse, we are thrilled to be part of this partnership and to support Lily as she takes this exciting step in her career. From the moment we encountered her work, we were struck by her bold, imaginative style and her instinctive understanding of our venues and audiences. Her Jane Eyre promises to be a heightened, deeply theatrical experience, using the very best of storytelling to bring this beloved classic to life — and we are proud to play a part in what we’re certain will be an extraordinary journey for her and a memorable production for our community.” 

For more details on Jane Eyre visit www.storyhouse.com