masked actors voice Jekyll’s thoughts during key moments enhanced the psychological complexity of the character. This layering of masks and repeated dialogue contributed to the atmosphere of inner conflict and societal repression. Shaw also made clever staging choices during crowd scenes, such as the theatre dance sequence, where the seats faced the audience, allowing us to see the actors’ faces and reactions while the dancing took place to the side. I particularly appreciated the overlapping of scenes and dialogue, as when Jekyll was being told to say goodbye, with Eleanor’s simultaneous reactions in the background. This created a smooth narrative flow and allowed us to feel the emotional impact of each word through her disembodied response. Although the original script was intended for a smaller cast, Shaw utilised a larger ensemble to create a sense of oppression, while staying faithful to the book. Lula Chinery’s choreography was also impressive, particularly in the scenes where masked figures circled Jekyll, evoking intense pressure and claustrophobia. Eleanor’s dance to ‘Faust’ was hauntingly beautiful, while Annie’s dance in the brothel was perfectly fitting for her character—seductive yet trashy, capturing the seedy underground strip-tease atmosphere. The collaboration between Shaw and her production assistants, Alison Bell and Ann Garlick, ensured the direction remained cohesive and impactful, with no moment wasted or out of place. Martyn Pugh's portrayal of Dr Henry Jekyll and Mr Edward Hyde was outstanding, delivering a truly transformative performance. Pugh’s ability to switch between the refined, morally conflicted Jekyll and the violent, brutal Hyde was seamless, both physically and emotionally. His depiction of Jekyll’s gradual descent into madness, coupled with Hyde’s growing dominance, was chilling. The physical transformation was particularly striking, with Pugh altering his gait, voice, and overall demeanour to distinguish between the two personas. At times, he switched between them within seconds, seamlessly moving back and forth, and toward the end, becoming a disturbing mixture of both as Jekyll’s descent into moral ambiguity and Hyde’s pure unrest blurred the line between them. The depth and projection Pugh achieved with Hyde’s bark-like voice sent shivers down the spine. While the audience understood Hyde’s malevolent nature, Jekyll’s teetering between scientist and mass murderer
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODU3MzQ=