Jekyll and Hyde

JEKYLL AND HYDE by Robert Louis Stevenson, adapted by Neil Bartlett is an inventive goth tale that tells the story of Dr Jekyll who is obsessed with studying the personality and pursues his theory of polar opposites with disastrous effect in this modern twist on the original story.  

The set gave us the impression of a dissection room/lecture theatre with steps in the form of an amphitheatre.  This allowed great movement for the cast and gave the eight actors room to move around safely in this very physical, at times, play.   In the centre there was a door that swivelled to represent the various entrances/exits to Jekyll/Hyde’s home(s).    The props were excellent and well used: all sorts of jars and concoctions, blackboard, Dr Stevenson’s desk and contents and writing implement of the period.   

The costumes, hair and make up were first class. The gentlemen’s suits were well fitted and extremely smart and Matron/Mrs Poole and The Girl/Landlady, swiftly transformed from one character to another easily.  White coats were brought on emphasising the ‘doctor’ theme at the relevant time and The Girl was appropriately dressed in corset and ripped dress, coloured red, emphasising the bloody nature of the play.

This was a complex production of the highest standard.    Dr Stevenson acted as narrator as she tried to piece together the evidence of Hyde’s violence and double life while his group of friends ‘The Gentlemen’ cover up his crimes.    In the first half we witness the attacks and in the second half, we see the events that lead to them.    This production was slick, well rehearsed with strong, clear voices and sharp dialogue delivered at a rapid pace that completely engaged the audience.  Jekyll’s transformation took the form of emotion and physicality was both convincing and shocking, and at times hard to watch.     This was a difficult piece of theatre to stage but Chesil, under the direction of John Wakeman, and his hard working cast and creative team, made it look effortless.   

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