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The Master of Thornfield is a 1954 play by Huntington Hartford, which is an adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's 1847 novel Jane Eyre. It was later rewritten by John F. Matthews.

The play marked Errol Flynn's return to the stage after many years.

US Production

Errol Flynn

In 1957 it was announced Errol Flynn would star in a production in the US opposite Jan Brooks directed by Peter Ashmore.

Flynn had not appeared on stage since the 1930s. He was enticed to do so by a large salary, including free accommodation at one of Hartford's houses, and the writer's promise to produce a play that Flynn had written, an adaptation of the 1839 play Richelieu by Edward George Bulwer-Lytton. Flynn was reportedly paid a flat fee of $100,000 plus $1,000 a week expenses.

The play opened in Detroit with a view of bringing it to New York. Variety reported response was "dismal".

Flynn struggled with the show, often forgetting lines. He quit the play in Cincinnati claiming that the play was "no more fit for Broadway than Jack and the Beanstalk... I can't do much with the way it's written." Hartford responded that, "In my defence, I'd like to say that I have as yet to hear my play, from Mr Flynn, as it was written." Flynn was replaced by John Emery and Demetrios Vilain replaced Ashmore as director.

Hedda Hopper later wrote that she heard Flynn "just wouldn't study" only rehearsing nine hours in four weeks, and thinking Flynn instead simply wanted to accept a role in The Roots of Heaven.

Post-Flynn

Eric Portman took over the role of Rochester and the production was renamed Jane Eyre. The production debut in New York on 1 May 1958 and ran for 52 performances.

References

1. LONDON WILL SEE A NEW 'JANE EYRE': Chaney to Put On Hartford's Version, 'The Master of Thornfield,' in June By SAM ZOLOTOW. New York Times 14 Apr 1954: 25.
2. New Film to Costar McCrea and Stevens Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times 8 Dec 1956: B2.
3. ^ Vagg, Stephen (15 December 2019). "The Films of Errol Flynn: Part 6 – The Final Adventures". Filmink.
4. 'SPIRIT IS WILLING' TO BECOME A SHOW: Musical Version of 'Ghost Goes West' Prepared-- Jan Brooks 'Discovered' British Actress Signed 'Back to Methuselah' By SAM ZOLOTOW. New York Times 5 Nov 1957: 37.
5. ^ "Jane Eyre Cost at 500G So Far". Variety. 7 May 1958. pp. 71, 76.
6. "Errol Flynn NG $12,200". Variety. 19 February 1958. p. 58.
7. Dorothy Kilgallen: 'Master of Thornfield' Full of Thorns The Washington Post and Times-Herald 19 Feb 1958: B6.
8. FLYNN IS QUITTING PLAY ON THE ROAD: Calls Dramatization of 'Jane Eyre' Unfit for Broadway -- Canadian Troupe Plans By LOUIS CALTA. New York Times 20 Feb 1958: 28.
9. Lana, Yul Brynner in Faulkner Story Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times 22 Feb 1958: B2.
10. 'Jane Eyre' At the Shubert By Richard L. Coe. The Washington Post and Times-Herald (1954-1959) 17 Apr 1958: C10.

External links

• ​Jane Eyre​ at the Internet Broadway Database

• 1954 plays
• Plays based on novels
• Works based on Jane Eyre