Jekyll & Hyde

This rarely performed musical by Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse was brought to exuberant life in Nigel Taylor`s excellent production, which was great in style.

The thunder and lightning effect provided by Steve and Harry Greatorex silenced the audience on the entry of Dr Jekyll, superbly played by Laurence Sutton, who acted and sang with great energy.  He made the transition into Edward Hyde most convincingly, and his rendition of `This is the Moment` was one of many highlights.  Sarah Towle gave a vibrant, driving portrayal as Lucy Harris, the prostitute who captures Hyde’s affection.  Super vocals with clear diction, I particularly liked her tender `A New Life`.  A dominant and outstanding performance by Adrian Redfern as Jekyll`s friend Gabriel John Utterson, with an excellent supporting performance by Rebecca McAllister as Emma Carew.  John Wedgwood, as Emma`s father, Sir Danvers Carew, impressed with his fine voice and polished and sympathetic presence.

 Strength in depth of the company was evident by the portrayal of the Board of Governors of St  Jude`s Hospital, including Tom Banks as Simon Stride, Nigel Taylor, the Bishop of Basingstoke and Kathryn Fitchett as Lady Beaconsfield.  The final accolade must go Stefan Osvath, sinister as Spider, the Pimp.

Deserving a mention was the chorus, whose singing both off stage and on was wonderful, Also the Red Rat Girls, whose song `Girls of the Night` was excellent. 

The orchestra was top rate, and with a prominent set and good costumes, this was a super evening`s entertainment by Central.

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