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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Jekyll and Hyde
Verdict: Compelling musical
26-29 Oct & 1-5 Nov at 19:30; and 29 Oct at 14:30
The faded Victorian grandeur of Wiltons Music Hall is a perfect setting for Jekyll & Hyde (writes Karen Lister). It’s a rousing gothic musical based on the classic tale of good and evil. Murder and chaos are rife and evil lurks around every corner, but love and virtue put up a strong fight in this engaging thriller.
This SEDOS production of Frank Wildhorn's hit musical captures the pomp and posturing of high society set against a backdrop of death and debauchery. Andrew Overin’s Jekyll & Hyde compels and moves, with convincing transformations between the two characters. The duet with himself in Confrontation is a fine example of his breadth of interpretation.
Chloë Faine delivers Lucy with tenderness and hope. Her solo of Someone Like You is strongly emotive. Bridget Cross portrays Emma, Jekyll’s fiancé, as devoted and spirited - not an easy combination. Her glorious singing voice pairs perfectly with Andrew Overin’s in their duet Take Me As I Am.
The cast give enthusiastic performances which enhance the overall production. David Griffiths’s musical direction produces strong chorus pieces and solo performances. Direction, from Dan Chasemore & Chloë Faine, results in all cast members maintaining their characters within and between scenes. The Red Rat scenes in particular are played with great gusto. The underlying conflict behind the façade of the engagement scene is powerfully evoked, with an ever-present undertone of violence and hate.
The stage is small, so sets are minimal - but used to great effect. Unfortunately the stage size occasionally impacts on the movement and dance sequences of the chorus. Projected images on white backdrops create realism and atmosphere.
Cast Credits: (alpha order): Tom Brennan - Simon Stride. Dan Chasemore - Proops. Bridget Cross - Emma. Paul Emmot - Poole. Chloë Faine - Lucy. James Franey - Lord Savage. Bradley Green - Bishop of Basingstoke. William Harrison-Wallace - Utterson. Andy MacPherson - Bisset. Andrew Overin - Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde. Charlotte Price - Nellie. Pedro Rodriguez - Spider. Doug Smith - General Glossop. Dan Waters - Sir Danvers. Jo Webber - Lady Beaconsfield. Male Chorus – Glyn Newcombe, Jim Taylor. Female Chorus – Liz Flint, Vanessa Giadom, Dee Gibson, Alison Grace, Kate Lindsay, Pam O’Brien, Gayle Rogers, Amy Royle
Company Credits: Writer (of The Strange Case of Jekyll And Hyde) - Robert Louis Stevenson. Conceived for the stage by – Steve Cuden & Frank Wildhorn. Book and Lyrics by – Leslie Bricusse. Music by - Frank Wildhorn. Orchestrations by - Kim Scharnberg. Arrangements by Jason Howland. Directors – Dan Chasemore & Chloë Faine. Musical Director – David Griffiths. Asst Director/Choreographer – Chloë Faine. Lighting and Sound Design – Robin Snowdon. Stage Manager – Gus Paul. Assistant Stage Managers - Annalisa Checchi, Andy Hind, Fionnuala Hogan, Mark Macey, Rosalind Templeman. LX Operator - Emma Gosling. Sound Operator - Jonathan Batchelor. Follow Spot Operators - Ben Horsburg, Anika Knittell. Stage Combat - Mickey Killianey. Extra Choreography - Gayle Rogers. Costumes - Sally Askenazi, Autumn Ellis, Karen Lister. Set & Props - Annalisa Checchi, Chloë Faine, Anika Knittell, Jude Perkins. Marketing and PR - Stephen Dove, Eleena Misra, Katherine Pakenham, Jo Sanders, Pippa Thompson. Flyer Design - Richard McDermott. Stage Projection Design - Nick Chronnell, Bradley Green. Programme Design - Nick Chronnell. Presented in arrangement with - Joseph Weinberger Ltd on behalf of Music Theatre International, New York. Original Broadway production by - PACE Theatrical Group Inc. This production: Producer – Rebecca Smith. Company – SEDOS www.sedos.co.uk. Presented by SEDOS in association with Bank of New York.
END
(c) Karen Lister 2005
reviewed Friday 28 October 05 / Wiltons Music Hall
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
