Jekyll & Hyde

Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic thriller, Jekyll & Hyde is the gripping tale of a brilliant mind gone horrifically awry, set to a powerful pop-rock score. In an attempt to cure his ailing father’s mental illness by separating “good” from “evil” in the human personality, talented physician Dr.Jekyll, having failed to get support from the governors of St Jude’s Hospital, goes it alone and  inadvertently creates an alternate personality of pure evil, dubbed Mr. Hyde, who wreaks murderous havoc on the city of London. As his fiancée Emma grows increasingly fearful for her betrothed, a prostitute, Lucy, finds herself dangerously involved with both the doctor and his alter ego. Struggling to control Hyde before he takes over for good, Jekyll must race to find a cure for the demon he has created in his own mind.

Directed by Jonathan Boxall-Southall, The Norbury Players produce a suitably intense and dark production with some stirring music that held the attention throughout the performance. The intensity is portrayed no less than by Glynn Diggett as ‘Henry Jekyll / Edward Hyde’ who carries off the challenge with power. His intentions are supported by his close friend ‘Utterson’ played personably and with stature by Dylan Hay.

Jekyll is betrothed to ‘Emma Carew’ who played by Sophie Grogan, sang beautifully and with great presence and poise. Her father Sir Danvers Carew (Ian Thompson) was played with great sensitivity and their scenes together were very natural and his concern for her, as Jekyll became troubled, touching. ‘Lucy Harris’ (Holly Russell) the prostitute who became entangled with Jekyll and Hyde was portrayed with serious power.

The hospital Governors  consisting of ‘The Bishop of Basingstoke’ (Michael Treagust), ‘Lady Beaconsfield’ (Melanie Brown), ‘General Lord Glossop’ (Chris Gaunt), ‘Sir Archibald Proops’ (Alan Southall) and ‘Lord Savage’ (Andy Brown), were convincing in their lack of support for Jekyll’s plans, but this eventually led to their demise at the hand of Hyde. I am not certain that the Red Rat Pub was the place for the youngest members of the cast, but I congratulate Darcie-Ella Eglesfield for her Act 2 opening piece as the ‘Newsboy’, sang with great clarity. Matthew Jeffrey (‘Simon Stride’) and Jo Hargreaves (‘Nellie’) added further depth to the performances.

The ensemble managed the score well and all were well dressed as usual. The set added to the atmosphere, particularly Jekyll’s laboratory and the impact as it moved down-stage during Jekyll’s ‘This is the moment’ with its atmospheric lighting was very effective.

This musical is not for the faint hearted and the Norbury’s handling of its challenges; 29 numbers,16 scenes and range of characterisations are to be congratulated.

Bruce Wyatt, for Andy Brown

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