AS the nights start to draw in this show is perfect for an autumnal evening.
It is a very dark from the beginning as the scene is set with Dr Jekyll mooting his questionable ideas about a serum to separate good from evil.
Such is the acting, you can empathise with each of the characters but as the plot unfolds the ridiculing from the so called ‘moral’ elite makes the doctor the underdog and your feelings change.
In truth this show, well-directed by Jonathan Boxall-Southall, throws up copious moral questions, not just about the good and evil in all of us but also about those held in high esteem in society.
The use of crossed spotlights during ‘His Work and Nothing More’ was poignant, reflecting the ‘crossroads’ Jekyll was at in his life.
It was very cleverly done, as was the set – minimalist when it needed to be to place more emphasis on the characters and seamlessly transitional to switch from lab to London street and other places.
The show felt slightly slow at the beginning but it soon picked up to an explosive pace, especially after the interval with several killings in quick succession.
This was punctuated by the dramatic, and sometimes humorous, Murder Murder score and the red umbrellas carried by the chorus fulfilled their intended impact.
Of the cast, Glynn Diggett was absolutely outstanding as Dr Jekyll and Edward Hyde. Probably more than half the action was him on his own on stage and each time the audience’s eyes were fixed on him – the mark of a fantastic actor. This was epitomised in the climatic ‘Confrontation’ when the struggle between good and evil reaches its conclusion.
The supporting cast certainly played its part as well and gave Diggett the platform to reach the heights he did.
There were so many musical highlights in this show and so much vocal talent on stage.
Among them were Sophie Grogan as Emma and Holly Russell as Lucy Harris, whose solos Someone Like You and a New Life were impeccable. The pair joining forces for In His Eyes was incredible and worked so well because of the contrasting singing styles which epitomised the characters they were portraying.
Girls of the Night with Russell and Jo Hargreaves as Nellie was also pitch-perfect and Bring On The Men provided some light in an evening of shade.
If, as you are reading this and your Jekyll side is telling you to stay indoors on these dark October nights and your Hyde side telling you to book tickets, go for Hyde – you will be in for devilishly enjoyable evening.
Performances take place at 7.30pm tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday, October 6, and the next Wednesday to Saturday, October 10 to 13.
Tickets are available via the website at norburytheatre.co.uk or by calling the box office on 01905 770154.
