Jekyll & Hyde The Musical

Fans of musical theatre on a grand scale would have found plenty to swoon over on opening night of Jekyll & Hyde—a production that embraces spectacle without sacrificing substance. A cast that seems to stretch to the horizon impresses not only with its size but with its sheer consistency: not a weak link among them. Every performer, from principals to ensemble, brought their A-game, delivering rock-solid acting, dancing, and vocals with unflinching commitment.

Opening night saw a visual feast unfold before the audience. Adrian Carr’s set design achieved grandeur while remaining finely tuned to the narrative. Jack Alfred Kelly’s video design elevated the storytelling even further. His black-and-white imagery, reminiscent of aged film stock, lent a haunting vintage feel. The sudden eruption of colour—fiery reds and vivid blood—delivered breathtaking punctuation to key scenes.

Glenn Bayliss’s costume design transported the audience to the Victorian era with authenticity and care. Each outfit showed strong attention to detail and character relevance, adding depth to the visual storytelling.

Jason Bovaird’s lighting design reached world-class status. Colour choices matched mood flawlessly, and transitions were timed with impressive accuracy. A few moments did falter when performers missed their light cues, standing in shadows while their spotlight hovered mere inches away. Such near-misses were a pity given Bovaird’s masterful lighting vision.

Jennifer B Ashley’s choreography added rich emotional layers through dynamic contrasts. Sharp, percussive movement played against fluid, collapsed motion, the tension and release mirroring the main character’s battle with his ego and ID. This juxtaposition brought intensity and nuance to the ensemble pieces, enhancing the story’s atmosphere.

A full live orchestra led by Julie Whiting underscored the production with grandeur. The richness and precision of the musicians added weight and excitement to every number, proving once again that nothing compares to live musical accompaniment in the theatre.

Director Timothy Wynn deserves particular praise for steering this theatrical juggernaut with precision and flair. Coordinating a show of this magnitude poses no small feat, yet Wynn made it look effortless, crafting a piece that never drags and ensuring each moment lands with impact.

Several performances stood out among the many strong contributions. Cameron Rollo (Simon Stride/Spider) mastered the art of building tension, creating unease through characterisation and physicality. Simone Behrendorff (Lady Beaconsfield) delivered comedic gold, her expressive face a constant source of delight. Samantha Sherrin (Emma Carew) embodied professionalism, offering a clear, beautiful voice and poised stage presence. Nykita O’Keeffe (Lucy Harris) charmed with a soulful vocal tone, strong acting choices, and magnetic stage presence. Together, she and Sherrin delivered a gorgeous rendition of In His Eyes—a true highlight of the evening.

No review would be complete without celebrating Matt Leigh’s exceptional turn as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Leigh's transformation between personas mesmerised the audience. Facial expressions, posture, and vocal tone shifted seamlessly before our eyes. Gorgeous tenor vocals and razor-sharp timing solidified his performance as the emotional and theatrical core of the show.

The overall result? A tightly directed, visually stunning production filled with emotional power, memorable music, and thrilling performances. Jekyll & Hyde does exactly what it sets out to do—and does it exceptionally well.

Kitty Goodall

Images (from top): Nikita O Keefe, Samantha Sherrin, Cameron Rollo & ensemble, and Matt Leigh. Photography by Kris Anderson