http://www.artshub.com.au/au/news-article/reviews/performing-arts/jekyll-and-hyde-188794
If you ignore the technical problems that intruded upon opening night (perhaps fittingly, it was Friday the 13th), Willoughby Theatre Company have brought us a gripping, darkly compelling musical featuring some exceptionally fine performances, particularly from the leads.
Based on the notable horror tale by Robert Louis Stevenson, this story of the battle between good and evil, of the fight for a man’s soul, is not done in period costume but instead given a cold, contemporary look, complete with computers, mobile phones and other trappings. For the set design the team have gone for a clinical look, featuring sliding screen doors and various chairs/tables/hospital trolleys that are slid in and out for the requisite scene changes.
The whole look of the production is black and white, with only the occasional splash of red (shoes, a hat) emphasised to great effect. The great lighting effects by Sean Clarke include the use of eerie shadows, stormy strobe lighting and pantomime villain green for Jekyll’s transformation to Hyde.
The show definitely belongs to the two men who play the leads of Jekyll and Hyde. (It is interesting to observe that for this production there are two; usually they are played by the same person) As our dashing romantic lead, Doctor Henry Jekyll, Mikey Hart is glorious and his ‘This is the Moment’ in Act 1 stops the show – a magnificent performance.
As Hyde, Peter Meredith is slightly taller and bulkier. He is powerful and hypnotic, evilly dominating and compelling, with a seemingly charming facade that can be switched on and off at will.
Once Jekyll has injected himself with the deadly transforming potion, both Jekyll and Hyde prowl the stage observing each other’s interactions - for example, Hyde manipulates Jekyll into kissing Lucy and eventually killing her, and Jekyll watches helplessly and hopelessly as Hyde goes on the rampage. Gentle, kind Jekyll is horrified by the monster he has unwittingly created of himself. I particularly liked the idea of the grainy black and white photos of the hospital Board who end up being Hyde’s victims, and the way they return at the end, Banquo-like, to haunt Hyde.
As Jekyll’s fiancée Emma, Louise Symes is superb; an exquisite, elfin sprite who sings gloriously. Her duet with Jekyll in Act 1 (‘Take Me As I Am’) is splendid and her Chess/Doctor Zhivago-like duet with Lucy (‘In His Eyes’) is brilliant. As Lucy, Kimberly Jensen is terrific, leading the Red Rat girls in a sizzling Fosse-style number, ‘Bring on the Men’. Her hesitant ‘Someone Like You’ in Act 1 and exultant ‘A New Life’ are excellent, and bring the house down.
Jekyll’s concerned, loyal friend John Utterson, who in part acts as narrator, is wonderfully played by burly, bearded Andrew Symes, while Emma’s aristocratic, elegant father Sir Davers Carew is delightfully played by Tom Sweeney.
There is some fine ensemble work, especially for the big production numbers in each act, such as ‘Facade’ in Act 1 and the extended ‘Murder, Murder’ in Act 2, with huge casts and excellent choreography by Sarah Friedrich.
Musically, this was sensational, conductor Peter Hayward leading the orchestra in a great performance .Any chance of a cast recording?
Overall, a most impressive production.
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Willoughby Theatre Company present
Jekyll & Hyde
Based on the book by Robert Louis Stevenson
Book & Lyrics: Leslie Bricusse
Music: Frank Wildhorn
Orchestrations: Kim Scharnberg
Arrangements: Jason Howland
Director: Craig Stewart
Musical Director: Peter Hayward
Choreographer: Sarah Friedrich
Associate Musical Director: Alex Ash
Costume Design: Joy Sweeney, Kate Campbell-Westerway and Janina Hamerlock
Scenic Design: Craig Stewart and Simon Greer
Lighting Design: Sean Clarke
Cast: Mikey Hart, Peter Meredith, Kimberly Jensen, Louise Symes, Tom Sweeney, Andrew Symes, Nick Gilbert, David Thompson, Janina Hamerlock, Sue Bowring, James Studds, Stig Bell, Kris Fennessy and chorus
The Concourse, Chatswood
April 13 – 22
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