Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: A show not to be missed!

The conflict between good and evil is the focal point of almost any drama. The difference in Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale is that he places the never-ending struggle within an individual.

In his fascinating new take on Stevenson’s 1886 novella, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, acclaimed U.S. playwright/screenwriter Jeffrey Hatcher expands the facets of evil to show Hyde as aspects of four characters, who also play other roles in Dr. Jekyll’s life.

Neither does he allow Jekyll to be a white knight, as the ‘good’ doctor continues his laboratory experiments, all the time denying responsibility for the murder and mayhem around him — evil that may be the result of the release of his underlying desires after he swallows one of his potions. And Hyde, as he tries to save the one person he has learned to care for, is not completely evil, for he tries to send her away to stop himself from harming her.

The fine Kanata Theatre production of this intriguing drama is true to the spirit of the original and the adaptation, imbuing it with a sense of doom and maintaining a consistency of style in keeping with the period. The technical aspects, Karl Wagner’s skeletal set, with its imposing red door (gateway to violence) and his atmospheric lighting, together with Maxine Ball’s costumes, Rob Mitchell’s music and Rob Fairbairn’s sound are major factors in developing the ambience, enhancing the strong cast’s depiction of humanity’s dark side.

As directed by Wendy Wagner and Ilona Henkelman, the cast of six move smoothly among the many characters they portray from the time they weave in and out in the (somewhat too lengthy) symbolic opening dance to the final death scene.

Nick Chronnell is gentlemanly and understated as Dr. Jekyll, a good balance to the four Mr. Hydes (Paul Behncke, Aaron LaJeunesse, Tracey Nash and Gordon Walls). Each of the four also plays various other roles, defining them well with minimal changes of costume and accent. Emily Walsh delivers a standout performance as Hyde’s love interest, Elizabeth, conveying warmth, vulnerability and, finally, sorrow for the loss of both Jekyll and Hyde.

This is a show not to be missed. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde continues at Kanata Theatre to November 15, 2014.

 

Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher

From the novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

by Robert Louis Stevenson

Kanata Theatre

 

Director: Wendy Wagner, assisted by Ilona Henkelman

Set and lighting: Karl Wagner

Sound: Rob Fairbairn

Costumes: Maxine Ball

Choreography: Tracey Nash

Music: Rob Mitchell

 

Cast:

Dr. Jekyll……………………………………….Nick Chronnell

Utterson, Hyde………………………………….Paul Behncke

Dr. Lanyon, Hyde et al………………………….Aaron LaJeunesse

Poole, Hyde et al………………………………..Tracey Nash

Inspector, Hyde et al…………………………….Gordon Walls

Elizabeth, child………………………………….Emily Walsh