Jekyll and Hyde

Thank you all for the warm welcome to Melton Theatre. A superb venue for your production of the musical Jekyll and Hyde; what a show! 

The musical is based on Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and tells the story of a doctor who accidentally creates an evil alter ego, Dr. Henry Jekyll, (Charlie Harris) a brilliant London physician, who tries to cure his father's mental illness by separating good and evil in the human mind. In the process, he accidentally creates a murderous alternate personality, Mr. Hyde, who terrorizes London.

TMMTC produced a darkly gothic musical with exacting undertones and elements of nervous tension, which were held through everything. MD Rachel Wilson used the musical score so well! Musically exploring themes of duality, morality, the human psyche, and the struggle for identity. Despite only having a short 4-month rehearsal time, the voices, harmonies, and chorus work were excellent. The musical features a pop-rock score by Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse, including popular songs like “This is The Moment,” “Someone Like You,” “A New Life,” “Once Upon a Dream,” and “In His Eyes”.

Right from the get-go, as we took our seats, Hadyn Green was on a darkened stage, in a wheelchair and straight jacket. This was darkly sinister, which gave us an unsettling feeling. As the story was played out, all the characters created a super atmosphere that was both incredibly dark and solemn, from facial expressions and body language to the movement on stage and the use of the set and props.

Charlie Harris played Jekyll and Hyde with so much energy and charisma, that I felt I was watching a West End production. His voice, his manner, and his interactions with other members of the cast were stupendous and his characterisation was wonderful. The transformation scenes in particular were exceptional, with vocal changes and body movements. Jasmine Peveritt played his fiancé Emma Carew brilliantly. Her voice work, and acting choices were outstanding and the harmonies she created were first-rate. Along with Amy Beale as Lucy Harris, this trio were fantastic. The juxtaposition of the life of these two women was well portrayed in the story and both Jasmine and Amy were delightfully light and dark in turn. Ultimately a love story theme ran under the whole tale, yet the obsessive compulsions were intricately explored.

Other stand out performances were by Ross Woods (John Utterson, Jekyll’s friend and confident), a myriad of reactions and acting choices brought the character to life. His gentle energy contrasting well with Henry’s. Elliott Paulson as the General, Ryan Green as Lord Savage, and Mark Hopkinson as Proops were all outstanding. Along with Andrew Hull as Simon Stride, Charlotte Broomfield as Lady Beaconsfield, and Phil Hopkinson playing the Bishop, they made up the other deliciously horrible characters, who demonstrated the darker side of humanity, despite being pillars of the community.  Their ultimate fate was played out magnificently, due to their insensitivity to the lot of the Victorian London poor.

The Red Rat girls played by Cara Pett, Vikki Taylor, Katherine Vernon, Jo Welch, and Emma Weston along with Nellie played by Hanna Sophie Roberts, were all Brilliant. ‘Bring On The Men’ was a particularly well drawn scene. The choreography and actions during this number demonstrated the hardness and brutality they faced, working for Spider, played by Jason Wrightam. I really liked Jason’s body language and tightness he created for this menacing man, who is seedy and evil. Again, the dark undertone was still there throughout, despite a supposedly festive night out.

Chris Warmington as Sir Danvers Carew playing a loving father and Poole (John Stewart), the faithful employee, both enhanced the different sides of Jekyll and Hyde, by their reactions to the monster and the man. I felt Chris and John were excellent in their roles. There were so many minor singing and speaking roles within the ensemble which were all well played, (not a weak actor on stage). The atmosphere or dread and fear along with the possible excitement were palpable during the ‘Murder Murder’ opening in act 2. The harmonies were really good and Newsboy (Shroom) was particularly well cast actor. Every element was well staged and you all looked like you were enjoying being part of this dark mysterious piece.

Stage Manager Rachael Barker-Evans along with her crew, (Trevor Adams, Digger McConnell, Owen McConnell, Richard Hand, Suzie Hand, Dean Williams, Ian Cliffe, Stefan Kotarba and Isabel Hand), kept the cast safe and moved the different parts the stage and stage props into position very swiftly. Excellent.

Director Jak Beasley  - thank you for creating the darkly gothic atmosphere of this musical and coaxing such wonderful performances from TMMTC cast and crew. You have done masterful job, much better than some professional shows I have seen. Your attention to detail shows through everything, from costuming (Charlotte Broomfield) and props, (Jude McNulty-Green, Jane Lesley Cuncliffe, Hadyn Green), the set design to social media promotion and program. Dawn Partridge, Georgie Bladon, Gina Mees, Dan Atkinson, Lauren Cressey and Tash Bailey must have worked non-stop in so many creative ways, I do hope you get full houses for the rest of the run. Jak, your vision seemed to be realised, I know you must be happy with the final outcome.

DSM, Stuart Bartram with Sound, Neil Westley, Tech and lights James Pritchard, all enhanced the production.  Good use of the smoke machine added to every moment, I loved the red lighting during the ‘Murder Murder’ scene and especially the use of spots and colours to enhance the action and the monster transformation. Excellent.

To TMMTC committee, you have supported and produced a superb, dramatic, and passion-filled show, you must be so proud of the excellent creative people you have on board, both on and off the stage. I enjoyed meeting the cast and crew after the show, thank you for your time, I was delighted to hear your stories and charmed that you made me feel so welcomed. I wish you all the very best for the rest of the run. I look forward to seeing more highly skilled and magical productions in the future, your next being Shrek, where I will definitely be returning to offer NODA’s support and contribution.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.