Jekyll & Hyde

Jekyll & Hyde is a challenging musical with quite a number of male principal roles. LMS is fortunate to have many good singers to fill the parts. The Board  of Governors of St Jude's Mental Hospital - Jim Gallagher, Ethan Wallace, Noel O'Donnell, Judith O’Hare - were all strong cameos. Their hypocritical nature made each's demise somehow justified! As Sir Danvers Carew, Geoff Coke showed the concerned father doing his best for his daughter and her fiancé. Simon Quigg and Keiran Connor were well cast and strong as Simon Stride and the nasty pimp, Spider.

Muire McCallion made quite an impact as the "Red Rat" Madam, Nellie; Poole, Bisset and the Priest played by Ken Canning, Stephen Carlin and Christopher Kidd respectively, were well filled roles too. Shonagh Lyons and Katie Patton made excellent leading ladies, both with beautiful vocals. Shonagh was a delightful Emma, showing steel when needed; as Lucy, Katie really brought the role to life. Their duet "In his eyes" was stunning. Kris Doherty, playing Utterson, made a very good foil to Damien Kivlehan's Jeykll. Damien poured himself totally into the demanding dual role although I was a little disappointed in 'the transformation' from Jekyll to Hyde

The set was functional - plain wood with several staircases to a raised level.  Props were very effective and appropriate while costumes were in period and well presented.  Sound was good throughout; lighting mostly appropriate but occasionally needed more atmosphere. Vanessa's choreography was always fitting - "Bring on the men" was particularly memorable! Jim Goodman's 10 piece orchestra blended well - hidden in the wings with no monitor, singers did well to keep time. I'm sure Deigh is proud to direct another quality show.

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