Henfield Theatre Company are excited to announce that their next production is Neil Bartlett’s 2022 stage adaption of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Jekyll and Hyde. This is a modern twist on ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde’, a gothic masterpiece which has been told many times since it was published in 1886.
Rather than sticking rigidly to the decidedly male-centric narrative of the book, this adaptation takes a somewhat more female-centric focus. We follow a newly sworn–in Dr Stevenson (aptly named, and played by Emily Norman) as she navigates a male-dominated profession—a male-dominated world, in fact.
She plays the role of a detective in a mystery world, unravelling the tale of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (played by Rebel Atkinson) for us to see in its entirety and, as is fitting of a doctor, dissecting it onstage for us to see. Her presence allows somebody to hold the school of gentlemen accountable who, as the friends of the highly respected doctor, are beginning to wonder why he goes missing all the time!
Directed by Trevor Hodgson, he stated, “our telling of this story, whilst still set in dark and gloomy Victorian London, hopes to provide an insight into the male dominated world, whilst glimpsing the future roles that women would play in our society. It is an intriguing version of the story and one I hope you will find thrilling and a bit scary!”
Kindly sponsored by Andy Blunden Ceramic Wall & Floor Tilers Ltd, performances are on 12th, 13th and 14th October at 7.30pm at The Henfield Hall. Tickets cost £12 per person for floor seating and £14 per person for raised seating. On sale now via www.henfieldtheatrecompany.com, and at Steven’s Estate Agents in Henfield High Street.
Mandy Ainsworth