THE National Theatre comes to York today for a week-long run of one of the great productions on the London stage of recent times, Sally Cookson's energetic and imaginative adaptation of Jane Eyre.

Charlotte Brontë’s story returns to Yorkshire turf at the Grand Opera House in a co-production between the NT and the show's originators, the Bristol Old Vic, that coincides with the 170th anniversary of the first publication of Jane Eyre, a significant time to be mounting the tour.

Cookson's new stage version was first presented in two parts in Bristol and then transferred to the National, re-imagined as a single performance for staging at the NT’s Lyttelton Theatre, and it is this staging that York audiences will see.

The inspiring story of the trailblazing Jane is re-told in a bold and dynamic reinvention that uncovers one woman's fight for freedom and fulfilment on her own terms as the spirited heroine faces life's obstacles head on, surviving poverty, injustice and the discovery of bitter betrayal, before taking the ultimate decision to follow her heart.

Devised by the original company, the production remains very much an ensemble piece, as The Press witnessed when attending an early rehearsal of three breathless, physically demanding scenes in the Copperfield Rehearsal Rooms in London, overseen by the inspirational Cookson.

Afterwards – their breathing restored to normal! – cast members Nadia Clifford and Tim Delap, who play Jane Eyre and Rochester respectively, spoke of their thrill at being involved in the epic three-hour show.

"I've visited The Parsonage in Haworth many times: I'm a bit of a Bronte obsessive," says Nadia, who grew up on the other side of the Pennines before training at the Bristol Old Vic.

York Press:

Tim Delap as Rochester in Jane Eyre

"When Jane Eyre was on at the National I was in another play there, Pomona, at the same time, which I now feel is a bit of a blessing, as I'm now doing Jane Eyre and working with Sally Cookson is such a treat.

"When I auditioned, Sally works in such a daring way in her auditions. Often directors will see you for 15 minutes, but with Sally she really mines the text and works with you and allows you to feel you can trust the room and perform better."

Nadia made such an impression when performing as Jane Eyre aged ten in the audition that the role was hers. "There are days in rehearsals where the magnitude of the show has hit me. It's exciting; I'm relishing the challenging but it's physically and emotionally demanding, so I have to pace myself," she says.

"It's three hours; I don't leave the stage; I'm the only person on there all the time; all my costume changes are on stage, so it's been a little like an athlete in training."

Working with a movement director and fight director help Nadia prepare for the role, and looking after the voice will be important too. So will the Yorkshire accent. "Because I'm a northerner, I'm aware of the responsibility to get the accent right. For so many people in Yorkshire, they are so proud of Jane Eyre and the Brontes and their legacy," she says.

"It's a very specific way of looking at the world; they were very isolated; London was this distant metropolis and that does have an effect on the authorial voice, which is why the stories have lasted."

Tim Delap, who was last seen on a York stage in Regeneration at the Theatre Royal, now returns to the city in a production with an even more stellar reputation. "I'd heard of Sally's production but not been able to see it, but I'd heard amazing things about it, so when I was asked to audition in front of Sally, I was delighted," he says.

"It was the most intensive audition process I've ever done, with an awful lot of physical work, so it was more like a rehearsal than an audition. It's a very physical show and Rochester is a physical character so she wanted to put me through my paces at several auditions, followed by several pairings and finally with Nadia."

Fitness is vital. "It's like a workout doing this show. I've cycled to and from rehearsals and doing that and the rehearsals is more than enough for keeping in shape," says Tim.

Working on the play has been an eye-opener. "Some people think of Jane Eyre as a girlie book, and I have to admit I hadn't read it until the auditions, but then you realise Jane is not meek and mild; she's fiery and powerful; it's a wonderfully written novel that's thrilling to read and the show reflects all that energy," he says.

The National Theatre and Bristol Old Vic's Jane Eyre runs at the Grand Opera House, York, from May 22 to 27, 7.15pm (note the early start) plus 2pm, Wednesday and Saturday matinees. Box office: 0844 871 3024 or at atgtickets.com/york