As I entered the Leicester Square Theatre to review the West End Premiere of Brother Wolf’s new award-winning one-man show, ‘Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’, ahead of its nationwide tour I remembered that the story was a horror. I then noticed their were children in the audience so I thought it would not be scary, how wrong was I. Impressively adapted, produced and performed by James Hyland, Hyland is a one man tour de force. He is great as Dr Jekyll and his evil side, Mr Hyde. This play is worth seeing for his performance alone.
Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde is not easy viewing. In fact, people even screamed in the audience. It is gruesome, scary and at some points downright uncomfortable, but it is a great piece of theatre. It shows what can be done with a one man show.The tale is an old, classic one and most people know of it and how it ends. This does not ruin the show though, Hyland playing the many characters does so with believability, talent and truthfulness. It is just Hyland and a podium on the stage but he manages to carry the entire show with ease.
As I mentioned before, there were children in the audience. I would not recommend this show for a child. I was quite uneasy at points and my companion thought it was scary.
Scary it may be but it is also brilliant and James Hyland is a superb actor. Go and see.
Based on the novella by Robert Louis Stevenson
Presented in association with Harrogate Theatre
Adapted, Produced and Performed by James Hyland
Directed by Phil Lowe
Leicester Square Theatre
6 Leicester Place, London, WC2H 7BX
08448 733 433 www.leicestersquaretheatre.com
Please visit the following website for more information on the production company: www.jameshyland.co.uk/