Jekyll & Hyde

Report

Author: Roger D. Buist

This show is dark, brooding, extremely dramatic, and there are several brutal murders which take place when presenting this show for the stage. The most important element for this show is to have a strong leading man capable of playing the double role in acting and singing, and to have a dramatic feel for the massive role. Fortunately, the society has a real find in Thomas Richmond who played the Jekyll and Hyde character who is seldom off the stage. Thomas was absolutely outstanding in every department and he immersed himself totally into his character. His role calls for a very BIG sing throughout the show and his fine tenor voice was heard to great advantage with his “This Is The Moment” – his ovation was well deserved. His brilliant acting talent shone throughout – especially when he injected himself and he changed from one character to the other, writhing and twisting in agony all over the stage as his experiment took over his body. Thomas, your performance deserved an Oscar! Jekyll is due to wed Emma Carew and Ellen Ryder shone through in this role coming across as the perfect, pure, demure high society London lady – the epitome of local society. On the other end of the social scale, Jekyll finds himself involved with another girl – the kind-hearted and well liked local prostitute, Lucy Harris. Rachel Hogg was totally convincing portraying this shady character and, when it came for Emma and Lucy’s “In His Eyes” duet, both Ellen and Rachel proved to have fine voices which blended together perfectly. This show has a huge musical score, – a difficult musical score – and full marks must go to young MD Billy Muir who handled and controlled the large orchestra with total ease. The chorus of London Society and sleazy Red Rat prostitutes all lustily sung out and their “Murder, Murder” opening of Act Two was very impressive with the entire company all brandishing big, open, black umbrellas giving an added dimension to the number. There was a first class cast of additional principal players – most of whom were murdered! – but lack of space stops me naming them. But be assured, ladies and gentlemen, your stage roles were much appreciated by the audience. An impressive dramatic production. In fact, this show was murder!