I came across this in the “What’s on at Glyndwr” leaflet. You see, from time to time I do like to see a live show, whether it’s a play or a local band. I find it much more intimate to watch something live rather than on film, or hearing music in its purest form rather than listening to iTunes.
It’s been a while since I’ve been to the theatre. I last saw a production of The Golden Pathway Annual performed by Theatre Train’s talented youngsters, in which my friend played a lead role. Similar to The Golden Pathway Annual, Jekyll and Hyde utilizes the idea of limited props for the actors. Although the production was small and minimal, I nevertheless had confidence in the show. When there are fewer props and actors, and more scenes and roles to fill, the actor’s abilities and the audience’s imagination are called into play more, and therefore a great performance is far more apparent.
Well, I have to say I really wasn’t disappointed. If anything, I was overwhelmed. The show was fantastic, excellently executed and thoroughly thrilling, as well as surprisingly hilarious! I wasn’t aware that it was a comedy, as well as a drama, but I really haven’t laughed that hard at a film or television show in a long time!
I’m sure many of you know the story of Jekyll and Hyde; a doctor in 1800’s London creates a potion that changes him from a whimpering cowardly man into a confidence, albeit misanthropic monster, who maims and murders. The story was written by Robert Louis Stevenson, and published in 1886. Ironically, the Jack the Ripper murders happened not long after and Stevenson was accused of inspiring the serial killer.
The European Arts Company - who previously portrayed The Picture of Dorian Gray, which I am so upset I didn’t get to see - performed this production in a series of shows around the country. You can find the tour dates here.
With only four actors filling multiple roles, and using only props that would be found in your local pub (barrels, a bar, curtains, a piano…) the director, Jonathan Kemp, really had his work cut out for him. Thankfully the whole team delivered.
Set in a pub in the late 1800’s, just after the first stage production of Jekyll and Hyde, actor Richard Mansfield weaves a tale of drama and intrigue to the locals. Well, rather than weave, the whole bar ensemble act it out, changing each scene as they go along, moving the set about and working it into the script as part of the show. Surprisingly, this is not off-putting in the least, as all the actors manage to stay in character and converse as they are doing so. And the transformations are excellent; with barely anything to work with they create a laboratory, a casino, a train, a Scottish highland mansion. Even a shady street corner for the “ladies of the night.”
I cannot ruin the story for you but rest assured it is both new and exciting, no matter how many times you have heard the original. With added humor and women (apparently there were no females in the book), it will keep you on the edge of your seat for its 1 hour and 50 minutes running time.
The four actors were terrific, in particular William Hartley as both Jekyll and Hyde. Your eyes never leave him when he is on stage, and his portrayal of Jekyll as a meek, Scottish heir was so convincing I thought that was actually the way he talked. So when he transformed into the suave, charismatic, but ultimately psychotic Hyde, I was shocked!
Jennifer Bryden was very impressive as the only actress on stage, able to fill any role, from Jekyll’s sweet, Scottish sister, to a cockney prostitute. I find that not many actresses have the ability to be funny, but she had as much, if not more, comedic talent as the male cast, and I felt she shone greatly as Catriona, a strong female in Victorian London.
Richard Latham played multiple roles, and was hilarious in every one of them. As the bumbling, stuttering Utterson, to Jekyll’s brash, kilted father, to my personal favourite, a young boy standing on a train platform yelling about newspapers. He is clearly incredibly gifted.
And finally, Arthur James as Catriona’s pompous, upper-class fiancé Lanyon, as well as the giggle-inducing butler Poole, and his Scottish counterpart, MacPoole. The programme states that he is a late bloomer as an actor, formerly a Captain in the British Army. You really wouldn’t know it, as he flows brilliantly from one role into the next.
I really cannot say a bad thing about The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Even when the scenery was moved and an extra step “appeared”, causing one of the actors to trip, the improvisation that followed had the audience in stitches and allowed the actors to successfully continue the show.
One thing I will say was my occasional annoyance at the woman sitting behind me who seemed to think she was watching Jerry Springer, and would “ooh!” and gasp loudly at every new event. I later found it quite funny.
My only disappointment is in the fact that it was only playing for one night, as I would like many of my friends and family to have seen it. Simply a brilliant show. I’ll certainly be trying my best in future to get out to the theatre more often, and I will be looking out for the European Arts Company’s next production.
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