Tons of Bronte News

It is all over the place. To start with, there is this fascinating article on mother-daughter psychology, Sins of the Mother, which references the Brontes as well as briefly mentioning Jane Austen and... 'chick lit':

The difficulties of falling in love, and falling out of love, can be similarly uncomfortable for daughters to hear about: "I tried to tell my daughter how it felt when someone important fell out of love with me. She was sympathetic, but I think she felt it wasn't something that a mother should be sharing. Daughters want parents to be coping and to be bulwarks against the world rather than people who will fall apart when something happens."
On the other hand, in Kirkman's study there was a woman who blamed her teenage promiscuity on the fact that her mother did not talk to her about sex or relationships and failed to educate her "that you don't just throw yourself into a sexual relationship without thinking of the consequences".
In the world of classic "chick lit" - Jane Austen, the Brontes, even the light-hearted Regency romances of Georgette Heyer - it has always been the task of the mother to guide a daughter in the proprieties and protect her from sexual predations. Often in these authors' stories the mother is absent or inadequate (a contrivance to give their heroines greater trials and greater freedoms), but even then, she symbolises protection or restraint. In her book, Beyond the Myths: Mother-Daughter Relationships in Psychology, History, Literature and Everyday Life, Sydney researcher and psychologist Shelley Phillips points out that when Rochester begs Jane Eyre to be his mistress, it is the ghost of her long-dead mother who tells her to flee temptation and leave Rochester and Thornfield.

Jane Eyre is opening today in London. The London production is Polly Teale's adaptation. From the trailer, provided by siansaska, I'd say it ought to be titled 'Bertha Mason' rather than 'Jane Eyre'. At least that's the impression I get from the captions and the images.

Wuthering Heights (by 'Emily Brente') is opening today in Muizenberg South Africa: Adapted for the stage by Charles Vance, opens at the Masque Theatre, Muizenberg, tomorrow. As Wuthering Heights is a school setwork and special rates are offered for block bookings. Tickets: R45 evenings; R35 matinees (Masque Theatre Club members get R5 discount). To book call 021-788-1898.

A young woman, Susan Holle, is lauded today for overcoming prejudice and attaining her goals despite her cerebral palsy. She has always been quite capable, contrary to what the education system may have thought, and one example of her capability sited here is her childhood voracious reading habits:

When she started school as a child, her parents said, they had to have her tested to prove she should be placed in mainstream classes rather than in the school's special education program. Holle always has been a voracious reader, her sister said. She was reading Jane Eyre in elementary school and always loved Shakespeare.

There is a brief article here about Sophie Worsley who will be playing Adele in Jane Eyre playing at the Blackpool Grand Theatre. Although...

Sophie is currently combining her studies with twice weekly rehearsals for the Premier Theatre Company production of Jane Eyre, as the spoilt daughter of James Rochester.

Jane Eyre: The Musical is playing Washington State at Edmonds Homeschool Resource Center, 7 p.m. May 18 through 20, 2 p.m. May 20 and 21, $4. 23200 100th Ave. W., Edmonds; 425-670-7840.

The India Times has a thorough travel guide article to Bronte Country.

Wuthering Heights is opening at the Crewe Lyceum next week. This articles has interiews with the actress playing Catherine Earnshaw. Wuthering Heights is playing from Monday, May 15-Saturday, May 20 call 01270 537 333. Tickets from £7.50-15.50.

Image is of Sophie Worsley.