Separating Jekyll from Hyde.

Separating Jekyll from Hyde.

Director Craig Stewart, embarking on a new production of Jekyll & Hyde presented by Willoughby Theatre Company (NSW), gives an insight into his concept for this modern re-work of a period classic.

What attracts you to the story of Jekyll & Hyde?

I love the idea of the duality of man.  It’s something everyone can associate with.  We all have desires, fears, dreams and doubts that we deny to ourselves and the outside world.  The idea of being able to give in to our base desires and not to deal with consequences is something that is alluring to many people.  In our modern society it’s increasingly easy for us to hide these desires and fears.

How will this modern setting enhance the musical?

 Hopefully we can make the audience think about the duality in their own lives.  The fears that we don’t face can come to the surface in dangerous ways, especially when we have a skewed view of reality that comes from projecting an unreal, censored version of ourselves to the world.  It’s interesting to note that modern behaviour modification drugs are only baby steps away from the kind of chemicals we are talking about in Jekyll & Hyde.

Will any of the musical arrangements alter to accommodate the shift of time?

 Jekyll and Hyde already has quite modern arrangements, another reason the contemporised interpretation works so well.  In 2006 Wildhorn and Bricusse recorded a rock concert concept recording of the show and we are taking a lot of our musical cues from that.  Vocal performances will be modern too.

You’ve split the roles of Jekyll and Hyde.  Your reasons for doing that are?

I honestly think the show works better with two people. It allows for easier differentiation between Jekyll and Hyde.  It very effectively creates more tension because you are never quite sure who is in control.  From a directing perspective, it allows for different and interesting staging choices because we have to be thinking constantly about what Jekyll is doing while Hyde is in control and vice versa.

The advantages of doing this production at the new theatre at The Concourse are?

It’s great to be doing a modern production of this classic in such a new and modern theatre.  This has allowed us to take full advantage of lighting and fly options. Working with scenic designer, Simon Greer, has been very exciting and the end scenic and lighting result should be spectacular.

Jekyll & Hyde. Willoughby Theatre Company The Theatre at The Concourse, Chatswood                        

April 13 – 22 Bookings:  Ticketek   1300795012                                         

Production Team                                                                                            

Director: Craig Stewart

Musical Director: Peter Hayward

Choreographer: Sarah Friedrich

Scenic Designer: Simon Greer

Lighting Designer:  Sean Clarke

Costume Designer: Joy Sweeney

Image: Peter Meredith (Hyde), Craig Stewart (Director) and Mikey Hart (Jekyll).

 

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