Jane is an all-femxle outdoor show about Jane Morris. Jane was an embroiderer and muse for many artists, most namely William Morris and Dante Gabriel Rossetti during the 19th century. Four identical Janes in larger than life blue skirts-come-puppets (inspired by Rossetti’s painting ‘The Blue Silk Dress’) present different sides of her personality using dance, puppetry and pomegranate seeds.
This new family show is mesmerising, picturesque and detailed, lighting up any space it inhabits. With music from 19th century composers such as Claude Debussy combined with contemporary music.
Jane encompassed the Pre-Raphaelite ideals of beauty, and became an artist’s model, when Rosetti spotted her. The piece explores the female experience within this period of history and delves into Jane’s life. The performers embody the feeling of being observed, gazed upon and objectified by men.
Coming from a very poor working-class background Jane found herself moving up the social classes with scholarships for private education and a theatre school. She was an activist and supporter of Irish Home Rule, and just like someone in the spotlight in present day – her love life was well documented and scrutinised.
Jane influenced many women with her fashion and beauty and was often called ‘a walking piece of art’. Quiet in nature, her unusual beauty became desired by men and women alike. We are fascinated by this and explore the difference between beauty ideals then and now and how we as a society deal approach them.
