Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Upstairs at the Gatehouse Review

Written by Cathie for Theatre and Tonic.

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own.

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The duality of man and the extremes of behaviour we are capable of have long been subjects of debate in society. Robert Louis Stevenson was particularly fascinated by these extremes, a fascination that inspired his timeless novella, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In this Brother Wolf production, the story is powerfully adapted into a monologue, performed by the exceptionally talented James Hyland.

The play begins with Hyland as Dr. Jekyll, delivering what seems to be a final lecture to the Royal College of Surgeons on the duality of mankind. Though this adaptation doesn't follow the novella to the letter, it profoundly captures the spirit of Stevenson's tale. As Jekyll narrates his journey of self-destruction, the story unfolds with gripping intensity. He recounts the creation of a serum meant to help a soldier conquer his inner demons by literally splitting his personality to confine the evil within. He describes the disdain of his scientific peers and, ultimately, his own descent into madness and murder when he uses the serum on himself.

Hyland's performance as the morally superior yet hypocritical Jekyll is nothing short of phenomenal. However, it is his portrayal of Hyde that truly elevates the production. Hyland transforms his entire presence to embody the creeping horror and unpredictability of Hyde, creating a chilling atmosphere that keeps the audience on edge. Every possible nuance of body language and form is employed, along with an array of chilling accents, to accentuate his madness. His transformation in front of the audience is masterfully done and truly terrifying; despite knowing the story, I couldn’t predict what action his character would take next.

The direction by Phil Lowe ensures that this adaptation is a brilliantly gothic horror experience, leaving the audience on edge and uneasy throughout. Chris Warner’s music, particularly the use of nursery rhymes in an unsettling way, evokes a sense of unease reminiscent of Agatha Christie, sending shivers down the spine.

This is a story deeply ingrained in our modern culture, having influenced countless thrillers and horror tales. Hyland does justice to the hubris of Jekyll and the terrifying essence of Hyde. The production would be a worthy addition to the West End, much like the monologue adaptation of Dorian Gray earlier this year. Despite knowing the story's outcome, I found myself with literal chills, riveted by Hyde's unpredictable menace.

If you're a fan of gothic horror, thrillers, or narratives that explore the consequences of scientific overreach, then this is the show for you.

★ ★ ★ ★