Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde

Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde
Adpted by Jeffrey Hatcher from Robert Louis Stephenson. 1812 Theatre (Vic) Director: Christine Grant. Aug 5 – Sept 4.

Playwright Jeffrey Hatcher brings Robert Louis Stephenson’s classic tale to life with a fiendishly clever, imaginative, innovative new adaptation, with four actors playing Hyde, including one female.
Although unexpected, this worked very successfully and added to the horror of the story.
1812 Theatre’s designer and construction crew assembled an amazing set which adapted very quickly to a drawing room, offices, laboratory, private surgery, morgue, lecture theatre, Hyde’s room, hotel room, various streets and alleys.
The set, and the director’s choice of music, taken from classic Hollywood nightmares and Horror and Science fiction film music, really set the mood, keeping the audience’s attention on the feeling of horror and disgust at Mr Hyde.
A cast of seven played 23 roles between them, very successfully.
Paul James, the only player to have one role, that of Dr Henry Jekyll, handled it with expertise. Although initially a little wooden, James showed the kind hearted Doctor, with an occasional flash of temper giving a suspicion of his alto ego Mr Hyde.
Dexter Bourke, in turn Edward Hyde and Utterson, really captured both characters especially Mr Hyde. Geoff Arnold handled the characters of Edward Hyde, Sir Danvers Carew Enfield, Sanderson, Inspector and Hotel Porter professionally, switching from one character to another in short time with finesse.
Edward Hyde, Dr Lanyon, Police Doctor, Surgical student, drunk were played by Brett Hyland, another great performer giving the correct feel to each character.
As a young girl and Elizabeth Jelks, who loved Mr Hyde despite knowing what he was, Donna Pope gave a good characterisation of the two characters, maintaining a good accent throughout.
Pip Le Blond, in turn, Edward Hyde, Poole, maid, old woman, Surgical student and prostitute, gave a professional performance, keeping each character separate from the other.
The 1812 Theatre wardrobe department caught the atmosphere with spot on period costuming.
Peter Kemp

Image: Paul James and Brett Hyland

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