To help September draw to a close Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds is looking forward to hosting a production of the classic horror story, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde. Gripping, stylish and thought-provoking, this is an unmissable event for those who like to indulge their darker side, especially for anyone who enjoys their thrills live in front of them on a theatre’s stage.
Adapted for the stage and directed by Nick Lane, this production combines ensemble story-telling, physical theatre, movement and Lane’s razor-sharp script, alongside a new musical score by Tristan Parkes. Remaining true to the spirit and themes of the original novella while offering modern audiences one or two surprises, including a major female character, Eleanor, who drives Jekyll on in the same way Stevenson’s wife urged her husband to complete the novel.
Doctor Henry Jekyll is a good man. Successful within his field and respected by his peers, he’s close to a neurological discovery that will change the face of medical science forever. However, his methods are less than ethical and when a close friend and colleague threatens to expose and destroy his work, Jekyll is forced to experiment on himself, whereupon something goes very wrong…or very right. Suddenly Jekyll has a new friend, the brutal Edward Hyde.
Playing the lead role is Jack Bannell. His theatre credits include Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Watch Your Head), Valentine in Two Gentlemen of Verona, Dr Pinch in The Comedy of Errors, Henry Percy in Richard II and Richmond in Richard III (Tobacco Factory), Proculeius in Antony And Cleopatra (Chichester Festival Theatre).
Bringing the total cast to four are the remaining players; Paige Round (Hurling Rubble at the Moon, Antigone) as Eleanor Lanyon, Zach Lee (Dr Faustus, Frankenstein) as Gabriel Utterson and Ashley Sean-Cook (Frankenstein, Might Never Happen) as Hastings Lanyon. As well as the main roles, all the other characters featured are played by the cast making for innovative, high energy ensemble storytelling set against an atmospheric soundscape.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde will be at the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds from Tue 26 – Wed 27 September. For more information or to book visit www.theatreroyal.org.
