Jane Eyre finds herself on the Chinese musical stage

In Charlotte Brontë's 19th-century masterpiece Jane Eyre , the simple yet powerful declaration "I will be myself" defined a woman's unwavering battle for self-determination.

Today, nearly two centuries later, those same words ring out with new energy – this time set to music on the Chinese stage.

Following its premiere in Shanghai this August, an original Chinese musical adaptation of Jane Eyre is offering contemporary audiences an reinterpretation of the timeless classic, bridging Victorian literature with 21st-century theatrical storytelling.

Externalizing Jane's inner world Adapting a novel for a dynamic theatrical production presents a unique challenge.

For director Jin Shengquan, the key lay in capturing Jane's rich inner life and translating her psychological journey into striking visual and musical language.

"When reading the novel, what stands out most is Jane's attitude toward the world.

She is a woman with a rich, full inner life," Jin, who also plays Edward Rochester, told CGTN.

"The biggest challenge for the stage was finding a way to externalize those internal thoughts and emotions.

That led us to put Jane’s personal growth at the absolute center of our adaptation." To bring her internal conflict into sharp relief, the production introduces a creative recurring device: an "inner courtroom." In these stylized sequences, Jane faces trial under the absurd charge of "seeking affection" or "falling in love." Through resisting these voices of judgment – both external social expectations and her own internal self-doubt – Jane gradually breaks free, realizing her independence.

A modern, localized spin Rather than producing a faithful Victorian period piece, the creative team deliberately localized and modernized the narrative to resonate deeply with today's Chinese audience.

"When interpreting a classic work like this, we must bring our own perspective," Jin explained.

"We didn't want audiences to feel a sense of distance – whether from a Western literary classic or a Victorian setting." This contemporary lens dynamically reshapes the story's classic archetypes.

The religious austerity of St.

John is softened to reveal his human vulnerability and suppressed personal desires.