26 June 2012 (released)
11 July 2012
Look at me! I’m the spectre of everyone’s nightmares! This world premiere and re-working of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic is sharp and smartly presented, with a clever twist to it.
It’s 1886 London, the world’s largest city and capital of the British Empire. While on the one hand the city begins to blossom and grow wealthy, on the other hand it is also rife with poverty. Millions live in overcrowded slums, especially in the East End. Opium dens, cholera epidemics and murder are widespread.
Enter the sinister side of the city’s underbelly, into which respectable lawyer Utterson (Charlie Allen) is dragged deeper and deeper. His investigation into the horrendous links between the highly respected Doctor Jekyll, who here – in a twist to Hammer’s Dr. Jekyll & Sister Hyde - is played by woman (Melody Roche), and the murderous Hyde, draws him into an abyss of unimaginable terror.
Consisting of only four cast members and a play that’s barely an hour long, this production by writer Jonathan Holloway is nonetheless a thrilling experience thanks to its strong performances, clever set design, as well as its costumes and make-up. On the subject of make-up, we never get to see the actual transformation nor the grotesque look of Hyde, which would be a trifle difficult to pull off on stage. Instead, most is suggested through shadows and sound effects that play havoc with primeval fears. A lot of dry ice turns the set into a pea soup foggy London, while the dark corners and dim lighting add to the menacing atmosphere.
If macabre tales set in Victorian London are your thing, go catch Jekyll & Hyde while it still runs until 22nd July at:
The Courtyard Theatre (Venue: Main House)
Bowling Green Walk
40 Pitfield Street
London N1 6EU (Nearest tube: Old Street Station)
8pm (Performances on selected days within date range)
Price: £12 / 10 conc.
For Ticket Reservations:
Ticket Web
0844 477 1000
www.ticketweb.co.uk/
For Ticket Enquiries Theatre:
(3pm - 7.30pm Tues - Sun only)
+44 (0)20 7729 2202
tickets@thecourtyard.org.uk
