This isn’t a sponsored post.
BrumHour was invited to review Jekyll and Hyde by The Old Rep.
By David Fox twitter.com/DavidFoxTheatre
Jekyll and Hyde
at The Old Rep
Written and directed by Ross McGregor
If you think you know the story of the strange case of mild, meek Henry Jekyll and his brutal, savage counterpart Mr Edward Hyde then think again! Thirteen-time, off-West End Award-Nominated Arrows & Traps Theatre, bring their critically-acclaimed production to Birmingham’s Old Rep. However, this is no traditional Victorian version. Robert Louis Stevenson’s iconic gothic classic is given a modern twist, reimagining it as a dark, gripping, and thrilling political chiller set in the halls of American power.
The year is 2020. The President of the United States of America has been impeached. Into this power-vacuum steps Mayor and Presidential candidate Henry Jekyll. How far will Jekyll go to gain power? What secrets is he hiding? And what is his relationship with the shadowy creature known as Edward Hyde?
Arrow & Traps Theatre company’s founder, Ross McGregor, has written and stylishly directed this contemporary tale. The bold, modern update, makes the themes of the story so relevant to a modern audience, dealing with corruption, America’s obsession with gun-culture, with even coronavirus getting a mention. This production deals with some very mature themes such as child exploitation and sexual deviancy, and is dark, unsettling, and sometimes shocking with adult language.
Jekyll and Hyde has an enthralling company of actors who all played their parts expertly. Lucy Ioannou was marvellous as Garbrielle Utterson, a detective trying to uncover Hyde’s secret. at times beleaguered, at times vulnerable, at time angry. Will Pinchin was a masterful Jekyll – serious and statesman-like as Mayor, highlighting Jekyll’s transformation, and desire for power. Christopher Tester gave a very disturbing and sinister performance as Hyde. On scene, where Hyde describes his brutal murder of one of Jekyll’s opponents, was particularly gruesome and very unsettling.
I really enjoyed some of the technical aspects of the show: chilling music stings, dramatic lighting, projection, and a clever backlit screen showing events behind the main action. At times I was reminded of political thrillers, at others noir crime dramas, and sometimes even futuristic dystopias such as Bladerunner.
Overall Jekyll and Hyde is a dark, disturbing, and contemporary thriller.
Jekyll and Hyde is at The Old Rep 28th February. Get tickets >> HERE <<.
This isn’t a sponsored post.
When not writing for #BrumHour, David Fox spends his time wondering when Checkov is back on the midlands stage or is that Chekov?
