Jekyll & Hyde

This adaptation of the famous novel by Robert Louis Stevenson had the audience on the edge of their seat from beginning to end as we all journeyed with each character and witnessed Dr Jekyll’s descent into madness, the chaos of a tortured mind and his eventual drive to murder and his own destruction.

The set was beautiful and the attention to detail wonderful to see. The Dylan Thomas Theatre is an intimate space and the set drew the audience in, with its lavish Victorian furnishings and opulent feel, cleverly exploited by the cast.

The piece as perfectly cast with the Poole, the butler, being played with just the right amount of camp pomposity by Tim Pottinger, the ever imbibing Utterson played convincingly by Brian Willis and the religious Dr Lanyon being portrayed well by John Welch.

Mr Hyde’s lover Penny was perfectly played by Paula Sheldon, with a great brashness and irreverence required of this character and Jane Cummings gave brilliant comedy and also sensitivity to the role of Hilda the housekeeper.

Special mention must go to Kate Newnham in the role of Celestine, played quite beautifully and to Sarah Allen who gave an outstanding performance as the maid, Charlotte, with wonderful stage presence and the right amount of juvenile naivety.

Of course, the play would not be the play without Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and it has been many years since I have seen such an incredible performance of any character than that which I witnessed from Mark Owen. So much went into everything he did and said and the transformation from the kindly-spoken and convivial Jekyll to the evil and sinister Hyde was quite brilliant. Mark had the audience laughing, crying and fearing, taking us all on a very emotional journey.

Many thanks to the entire company and production team for a great evening of entertainment.

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