Jekyll & Hyde
|
6th - 11th February 2012
Director: Keith Burgess
Musical Director: James Casselton Choreographer: Louise Wilson CastDr Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde - Wayne Byrom
Lucy - Vicky Huggins Emma Carew - Jenny Jordan John Utterson - Steve Nottage Sir Danvers Carew - Richard Lee Simon Stride - James Palmer Bishop of Basingstoke - Arthur Venables Lady Beaconsfield - Jean Burgess General Glossop - Bob Noble Sir Archibald Proops - David Annett Lord Savage - Mark Turvill Spider - Mike Lawrence Poole - Robin Evans Nellie - Janet Turner |
Chorus
Tony Allen, Charlotte Curtis, Liz Curtin, Jade Horan, Jenny Hughes, Danny Kendrick, Pamela Lee, Barbara Milner, Johnathan Payne, Beth Robinson, Nat Rowell, June Saich, Ken Sharp, Angela Springett, Sue Warren & Maureen Willcocks
Noda Review
‘JEKYLL AND HYDE’ - FEBRUARY 2012 This musical was a first time for me so I have no yardstick by which to measure the stage director’s approach to it. The story itself is of course a well known one but to achieve the transformation from Jekyll to Hyde on stage, rather than film when anything is possible, presents a problem, and although the audience probably expected something other than dishevelment alone, I felt it worked. Anything more could have caused a few titters and that would have broken the darkness of the piece.
The stark set also added a severity to the production that would have been lessened by too many props and scenery. The white flats adapted to the various venues and the laboratory bench was perfect. As I spent years of my working life in such an environment I am qualified to say that the appropriate array of equipment on it made it realistic, and the lighting and smoke effects added to the drama. It rolled on and off stage smoothly and as I couldn’t see any pulleys I assume it was radio controlled.
The hospital bed, the bar with various properties, and the central chandelier were sufficient for the scene changes and were in line with the simplicity of the set.
Both acts ended dramatically and the stillness at J/H’s death was a powerful finish to the show.
Wayne was first class in the massive part of Jekyll/Hyde. From the powerful opening number to the finale his acting was commendable. Possibly slightly more contrast could have been made between the two characters but there was certainly enough of a change to make it believable. His singing was impressive but the tendency to push his voice meant that it let him down a little on some of the top notes. There really is no necessity to sing every song at full power in these days when personal microphones are used.
As the narrator Gabriel John Utterson, Steve proved that he is able play a straight role and play it well. He came across as a calm, true and concerned friend to Jekyll; his diction was excellent and his singing was good.
Richard acted the part of Emma’s father convincingly (surely he’s not old enough!) and spoke with authority in the role. His duet with Emma was very good.
Jenny gave a sensitive interpretation of Emma, a young lady who was eminently suitable for the respected Jekyll, and she demonstrated the emotions that role required superbly. She was gentle and yet strong. Her singing was wonderful and ‘Once upon a Dream’ just beautiful. The duet ‘Take me as I am’ with Jekyll was also a highlight.
Playing the ‘tart with a heart’, always a more attention-grabbing role than the sweet heroine, Lucy Harris was quite splendid. She had the persona of a tough working girl but her softer side shone through as she began to fall for the complicated personality of J/H. Her singing voice was praiseworthy but as she spoke with a cockney accent it would have been more in keeping for her to sing with one too.
James acted and sang well in the role of Simon Stride and Mark Turvill was sound as Lord Savage. Both men appeared a little young for their parts but I know how difficult it is to get everything just right and also how good (and fairly rare!) it is to have such talented young men involved.
Mike Lawrence gave a convincing performance as Spider the very tough and threatening bar owner, and his girls looked and acted the part. Their only dance was raunchy, particularly suitable for their sleazy characters, and well choreographed by Louise E. Wilson.
The other named characters all gave worthy performances and although I’m not sure who played the part of the manservant, possibly Robin Evans, his acting was certainly worth a mention.
Under James Casselton‘s baton the orchestra played expertly apart from a couple of occasions when they were too loud. Hyde couldn’t be heard behind the mirror in his ‘duet’, and from time to time at the meeting of the Board of Governor’s it was difficult to hear the words. The vocal standard was extremely high and the chorus were well rehearsed in their numbers. ‘Façade’ was good and ‘Murder Murder’ too. The tricky ‘His Work and Nothing More’ was noteworthy.
Although the music was unknown to me it was fascinating to hear what sounded like snippets or styles of songs from ‘Chess’, ‘Jack the Ripper’, ‘Les Miserables’ and others woven into the score.
Lighting was atmospheric and the red light for the murders made a strong statement but there was no red light when Lucy died which seemed odd. Window gobos worked well for the hospital ward.
Sound was not consistent with some personal mikes only coming on after the first sentence had been spoken and there was also occasional feedback/foldback.
Costumes were suitable for the period, the men’s frock coats looked super, but I felt that Jenny’s skirt was a touch short and Richard would perhaps have worn gloves when outside.
Wigs and make-up were good.
Your programme cover is striking and the contents are set out nicely for ease of reading.
This was a particularly good production and whilst certainly not a light hearted evening’s entertainment the quality of the whole piece made for entertainment of a different kind. Well done!
Thank you for inviting me to see the show and also for your hospitality on the evening. I was pleased to see James (M.D.) in the interval, it’s a while since we last met, and I’m sure that he and Keith Burgess were delighted with the results of their hard work.
E. Gloria Smith
NODA South East Regional Representative – District 12
The stark set also added a severity to the production that would have been lessened by too many props and scenery. The white flats adapted to the various venues and the laboratory bench was perfect. As I spent years of my working life in such an environment I am qualified to say that the appropriate array of equipment on it made it realistic, and the lighting and smoke effects added to the drama. It rolled on and off stage smoothly and as I couldn’t see any pulleys I assume it was radio controlled.
The hospital bed, the bar with various properties, and the central chandelier were sufficient for the scene changes and were in line with the simplicity of the set.
Both acts ended dramatically and the stillness at J/H’s death was a powerful finish to the show.
Wayne was first class in the massive part of Jekyll/Hyde. From the powerful opening number to the finale his acting was commendable. Possibly slightly more contrast could have been made between the two characters but there was certainly enough of a change to make it believable. His singing was impressive but the tendency to push his voice meant that it let him down a little on some of the top notes. There really is no necessity to sing every song at full power in these days when personal microphones are used.
As the narrator Gabriel John Utterson, Steve proved that he is able play a straight role and play it well. He came across as a calm, true and concerned friend to Jekyll; his diction was excellent and his singing was good.
Richard acted the part of Emma’s father convincingly (surely he’s not old enough!) and spoke with authority in the role. His duet with Emma was very good.
Jenny gave a sensitive interpretation of Emma, a young lady who was eminently suitable for the respected Jekyll, and she demonstrated the emotions that role required superbly. She was gentle and yet strong. Her singing was wonderful and ‘Once upon a Dream’ just beautiful. The duet ‘Take me as I am’ with Jekyll was also a highlight.
Playing the ‘tart with a heart’, always a more attention-grabbing role than the sweet heroine, Lucy Harris was quite splendid. She had the persona of a tough working girl but her softer side shone through as she began to fall for the complicated personality of J/H. Her singing voice was praiseworthy but as she spoke with a cockney accent it would have been more in keeping for her to sing with one too.
James acted and sang well in the role of Simon Stride and Mark Turvill was sound as Lord Savage. Both men appeared a little young for their parts but I know how difficult it is to get everything just right and also how good (and fairly rare!) it is to have such talented young men involved.
Mike Lawrence gave a convincing performance as Spider the very tough and threatening bar owner, and his girls looked and acted the part. Their only dance was raunchy, particularly suitable for their sleazy characters, and well choreographed by Louise E. Wilson.
The other named characters all gave worthy performances and although I’m not sure who played the part of the manservant, possibly Robin Evans, his acting was certainly worth a mention.
Under James Casselton‘s baton the orchestra played expertly apart from a couple of occasions when they were too loud. Hyde couldn’t be heard behind the mirror in his ‘duet’, and from time to time at the meeting of the Board of Governor’s it was difficult to hear the words. The vocal standard was extremely high and the chorus were well rehearsed in their numbers. ‘Façade’ was good and ‘Murder Murder’ too. The tricky ‘His Work and Nothing More’ was noteworthy.
Although the music was unknown to me it was fascinating to hear what sounded like snippets or styles of songs from ‘Chess’, ‘Jack the Ripper’, ‘Les Miserables’ and others woven into the score.
Lighting was atmospheric and the red light for the murders made a strong statement but there was no red light when Lucy died which seemed odd. Window gobos worked well for the hospital ward.
Sound was not consistent with some personal mikes only coming on after the first sentence had been spoken and there was also occasional feedback/foldback.
Costumes were suitable for the period, the men’s frock coats looked super, but I felt that Jenny’s skirt was a touch short and Richard would perhaps have worn gloves when outside.
Wigs and make-up were good.
Your programme cover is striking and the contents are set out nicely for ease of reading.
This was a particularly good production and whilst certainly not a light hearted evening’s entertainment the quality of the whole piece made for entertainment of a different kind. Well done!
Thank you for inviting me to see the show and also for your hospitality on the evening. I was pleased to see James (M.D.) in the interval, it’s a while since we last met, and I’m sure that he and Keith Burgess were delighted with the results of their hard work.
E. Gloria Smith
NODA South East Regional Representative – District 12