Jane Eyre: A Musical Makes UK Premiere at Southwark Playhouse Elephant

Elena Leo is the Culture & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.

John Caird and Paul Gordon’s five-time Tony-nominated musical adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s novel arrives in London for its UK premiere, 30 years after its first production in Toronto.

Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre is heading to the stage in musical form this autumn, with Jane Eyre: A Musical making its UK premiere at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 28 August to 24 October 2026.

Written by John Caird and Paul Gordon, the musical adaptation first premiered in Toronto in 1996 before reaching Broadway four years later, where it received five Tony Award nominations. The London production marks the show’s 30th anniversary year.

Charlie Burn as Jane. Photo by Victoria Davies

The story follows Brontë’s orphaned heroine from an unsettled childhood into adulthood, as she seeks independence while becoming entangled with the enigmatic Edward Rochester. Gothic mystery, social constraints and a complicated love story remain at the heart of the musical, which brings Brontë’s novel to the stage through an original score.

Caird returns to the material as co-director, alongside Broadway performer and director Megan McGinnis. Caird has a long association with large-scale musical theatre, having adapted and co-directed Les Misérables for its original West End and Broadway productions, as well as directing the London stage adaptation of Spirited Away at the London Coliseum.

Isabelle Methven as Helen Burns with Emily-Rose Samuel as Young Jane. Photo by Victoria Davies

The cast also includes Claire Greenway, Melad Hamidi, Connor Wood, Jonathan Andrew Hume, Izzi Levine, Hannah Lindsey, Isabelle Methven, Gemma Page and Eve Shanu-Wilson, with Poppy Jason and Emily-Rose Samuel sharing the roles of Young Jane and Adele.

The production arrives with its own recording already in circulation. Highlights From The UK Premiere Cast is available to stream and download, with the video for “Sirens” also released ahead of the production.

Jane Eyre: A Musical
A musical by John Caird & Paul Gordon
Based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë

Venue: Southwark Playhouse Elephant
Address: 1 Dante Place, London, SE11 4RX
Dates: 28 August–24 October 2026
Press performance: Tuesday 8 September 2026

Performance schedule: