Next in our series of chatting to creatives and casts of Edinburgh Fringe 2026, we catch up with Eleanor Zeal who tells us all about Jane Eyre Convention. ”At the world’s first ever Jane Eyre Convention, slightly neurotic aficionados gather to reenact their favourite novel. They squabble and fight over the best bits, correct interpretation etc. Real emotions are experienced as they follow Jane on her journey, including running wailing across the moors. They also attempt to rescue shackled Bertha in the attic. Finally they gain new insights and generally feel better. Show contains unrealistic violence, bonnets and minimal raunch. It may be mildly therapeutic and audience participation is optional.”
How would you describe your show to someone discovering it for the first time at the Fringe?
Jane Eyre Convention is a comedy/farce with various obsessives from all walks of life, gathering together for the worlds first reenactment of said novel. Strong characters fight and bicker, go screaming across the moors ,wear bonnets and emerge slightly wiser and calmer.
What moment, idea or frustration first sparked this show into existence?
One day at the cinema, I couldn’t work out why there were so many productions of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, one after the other. It is in fact the second most produced novel after Frankenstein. After re-reading I realised it has so much for so many: rags to riches plot, championing of the underdog and the unbeautiful, bullying, abuse, death and scandal as well as an impossible romance that eventually works out.
How has the show evolved from its earliest idea to what audiences will see now?
It’s got smaller, originally it was Half A Dozen Jane Eyres but a) no one got the reference to The Dirty Dozen and b) It was a bit unwieldy. It’s also got a lot more physical and farcical.
What makes Edinburgh Fringe the right place for this show right now?
It’s new but familiar , only an hour long and its attempt to be mildly therapeutic might lend itself to the general openness of the fringe audience.
What does bringing this particular show to the Fringe represent for you personally?
A return after a gap of 3.5 decades!!
What has been the most unexpectedly challenging part of getting this show to Edinburgh?
Being a bit decrepit really, rubbish memory etc and struggling with the current social media forms of publicity.
If audiences leave the venue holding onto one thing, what do you hope it is?
Joy.
How do you think performing this show during a Fringe run will shape it?
It should become very clear what really works with audiences in terms of active participation and bonnet-wearing, where to encourage more vocal participation and joining in with the big emotions.
Who do you hope this show finds at the Fringe?
Anyone in need of a tonic in theatre form.
Finally, if this show came with a warning label, what would it say?
Not for purists. Contains very loud wailing.
Jane Eyre Convention runs at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 6th – 28th August 2026 (except 10th & 18th).