THIS AMATEUR PRODUCTION OF “JANE EYRE” IS PRESENTED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH SAMUEL FRENCH LTD A CONCORD THEATRICALS COMPANY

MESSAGE FROM

THE DIRECTOR OF PERFORMING ARTS

I warmly welcome you to our 2020 Major Drama Production of Jane Eyre. Alternating biennially with our school musical, these productions are the flagship performances of our Performing Arts program. These productions give our tremendously dedicated and talented students and staff the opportunity to work in a professional theatre environment, applying their minds, bodies and hearts to a piece of theatre that will challenge and transform them as actors. From this training ground, members of our graduating Year 12 drama cohort successfully pursue their acting career in the tertiary context at Australia’s leading acting schools each year.

I’d like to thank Mrs Ashleigh Chakarovski for her exceptional vision as the director of this production, having the insight to select a piece of theatre set in the

early 19th century that explores the interaction between deep personal resilience and profound faith, themes which have never been more relevant to the human condition than they are for our students today. Her leadership of this production and ability to enable our students to draw to the depths of their potential reflects her commitment to outstanding, life-long drama teaching. I’d also like to thank Mrs Jessica Gardiner for her excellent work as the producer, undertaking so capably both the day-to-day organisational minutia that is a theatrical production and for supporting Ashleigh Chakarovski and our students in rehearsals as stage manager in an extremely committed and generous manner. Thank you also to Mr Ryan Desaulnier for overseeing the breadth of our Drama program as Head of Department and for having the vision of leadership to support his excellent staff in taking on our Major Drama Production in 2020.

Finally, thank you to our fabulous cast who give so much of themselves in rehearsals and on the stage. It is absolutely inspiring to watch you create amazing theatre, and I thank you for continuing the tradition of superb drama productions at St Andrew’s Cathedral School.

DR CHRISTIAN WATSON EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

JANE EYRE IS AN INSPIRING STORY OF RESILIENCE AND HOPE.

DIRECTOR’S

NOTES

Choosing a play for our students is never an easy process. We want a large cast with dynamic characters, exciting theatre and an engaging narrative. This time I was eager to find a script with a complex variety of female roles as well as male. The National Theatre UK’s Jane Eyre has been a constant point of reference for us in the classroom, examining the originality of the set design and the evocative use of ensemble to create the world of the play. We enjoy seeing our Drama students to wholeheartedly invest in the collaborative creative process and the innovative production of Jane Eyre is a perfect example of this, being completely devised from the novel by the collective creative team at NTUK.

So, how do you approach an adaption…? Very, very carefully. Brontë fans, including myself, have their own expectations, favourite moments and interpretations of the novel. This beautifully dynamic 170-year-old novel has thrived over time with eight film adaptations, 10 TV series and 12 theatre productions, including the latest by The National Theatre UK. All have their own focus and interpretation of the original text. So, what makes this playscript so unique amongst the many versions on offer? It is the robust use of physical theatre used to reimagine Jane’s vibrant and complex narrative in a rich, vivid manner, with an intuitive physicality and energy.

IT IS VAIN TO SAY HUMANS OUGHT TO BE SATISFIED WITH TRANQUILITY.

DIRECTOR’S

NOTES

Jane Eyre is an inspiring story of resilience and hope. While moments in her life cycle take us to some dark places, it highlights the determination of an individual fighting against a society that would seek to overwhelm her. This production focuses on the life cycle of Jane. It looks beyond the romantic element of the narrative to her character, refined through much hardship and struggle. As found in the book of Joshua; Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Jane’s determination is a true example of this.

I am constantly blown away by the skill, creativity, dedication, and passion exhibited by our students. They have worked tirelessly to develop the highly complex characters, movement, accents, music, and intricate ensemble scenes. This production allows our students to invest in interpretive storytelling and the collaborative challenges driving contemporary theatre.

I am so grateful to the greater SACS community for your ongoing investment in the performing arts program. It is such a wonderful way to shape and develop the creativity and confidence of the young lives we have the privilege to nurture. Our drama productions are rich experiences and create memories that our students will take with them and help form the whole person they will become.

ASHLEIGH CHAKAROVSKI DIRECTOR

SYNOPSISJane Eyre examines the life cycle of an orphan girl in Victorian England, through the harsh realities of abandonment to the cruelty of institutional education at Lowood School. There, Jane experiences the loneliness of cold indifference and the joy of true friendship. As she matures, Jane seeks life beyond the confines of Lowood and gains employment as a Governess at the mysterious Thornfield. She finds herself inexplicably drawn to Mr Rochester, the elusive master of the house. But something isn’t right. As Jane begins to question the unusual behaviour within the walls of Thornfield, dark secrets unravel. Jane is forced on a heart-wrenching journey toward truth and freedom, and the power of self-worth in an indifferent world.

THANK YOU

I would like the thank the following people for their contribution to this performance:

To Jessica Gardiner for her endless support and amazing work on this production, Dr Christian Watson who always ensures our creative concepts are completely realised, Ryan Desaulnier for his encouragement and zeal as LOL Dance and Drama, Suzanne Louk for her amazing talent and insight regarding all things costume, Marketing and Community Engagement – Jackie Iseneggar, Lyn Jarvis, Rachel Heriot and Karen Swibel, my husband Steve who has no idea about theatre but listens and provides endless support, my dad Gary Hawkins for building props for me during the bushfires, the SACS maintenance team for making

all of this physically possible, Joshua Dimattina-Beven for his leadership as Drama Captain and endless positive encouragement for the cast, to my amazing cast and crew, you have been such a delight, and to your families for their support during this process, Dr John Collier and Brad Swibel for your continuous support of the performing arts at SACS and a huge thank you to the SACS community for coming out to see our play; we are nothing without an audience to play to.

It takes a village to make a production happen, and I thank God for the people he brought together for this event.

ASHLEIGH CHAKAROVSKI

DIRECTORASHLEIGH CHAKAROVSKI

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERDR CHRISTIAN WATSON

PRODUCER AND STAGE MANAGERJESSICA GARDINER

COSTUME DESIGNSUZANNE LOUK

POSTER AND PROMOTIONMARKETING AND COMMUNITY TEAMS

MUSICDR CHRISTIAN WATSON, ASHLEIGH CHAKAROVSKI, HUGO SEBESTA AND JAYSON MCBRIDE

ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR/CREWZOE HAYES

DRAMA

PERSONAE

CAST

JANE EYRE LUCY MACLEAN

BROCKLEHURST JOSH DIMATTINA-BEVEN

BERTHA MASON GRACE GRANGER

ROCHESTER RONAN KING

MRS. FAIRFAX WREN MANN

YOUNG JANE OLIVIA VOURIS

HELEN ELOISE BAXTER

ADELE ALICE FARROW-PRYKE

PILOT/BOBBY ALEX RINGROSE

AUNT REED GENEVA SAMPSON

ST JOHN RIVERSKAI THOMAS

BLANCHE ALEX COULTON

TEACHER LUCY BROWNLIE

BESSIE GLADYS TURNER

MASON ETHAN NIXON

GRACE POOLE IVY SWIBEL

DIANA RIVERS JAMISON O’BRIEN

MOTHER/WOMAN MALI LUNG

YOUNG JOHN MACKENZIE COLLINS

COACHMAN MAX MULVENNEY

ENSEMBLE – MAN/PASSENGER MILTON RICHARDS

REVEREND JAMIE CHRISTOFOROU

UNCLE REED ARCHER HOWLAND-ROSE

LAWYER FINN CALLAN

STUDENT ENSEMBLE ISABEL NI

CREW ZOE HAYES

CAST

St Andrew’s Cathedral School Sydney Square, Sydney NSW 2000 ABN 34 429 367 893

phone +61 2 9286 9500 fax +61 2 9286 9550 email info@sacs.nsw.edu.au

CRICOS Registration: The Council of St Andrew’s Cathedral School 02276M

www.sacs.nsw.edu.au