Jekyll & Hyde is based on Robert Louis Stevenson's story about a doctor whose experiments with human personality create an evil and murderous counterpart. Convinced the cure for his father's mental illness lies in the separation of Man's evil nature from his good, Dr. Henry Jekyll unwittingly unleashes his own dark side, wreaking havoc in the streets of late 19th-century London as the savage Edward Hyde. Jekyll & Hyde is pure, pulse-pounding theatre, with a lush, romantic score hailed as a modern classic even before the show began its smash-hit Broadway run.
Director - Terry Grazer
Producer - Kate Carpenter
Muscial Director - Ben Howell
Vocal Coach - Alex Saunders
Choreographer - Jane Wallace
The Cast
Jekyll / Hyde - Tom Clarke
Emma Carew - Megan Abbott
Lucy Harris - Julie Long
Nellie - Sarah Creasey
John Utterson - Dave Lilley
Sir Danvers Carew - Chip Carpenter
The Bishop of Basingstoke - Mike Cooke
General Glossop - Les Wright
Lady Beaconsfield - Sue Wright
Simon Stride - Ian Anderson
Chaplain - Nick Cheatle
Spider - Matt Kerslake
Lord Savage - Brian Turner
Sir Archibald Proops - Jimmy Harwood
Bisset / Apothecary - William Johnson
Newsboy - Daniel Coucill
Newsboy - Lizie Spavin
The Ensemble
Kate Ayres
Vera Boxer
Kristen Coucill
Chris Grazer
Allison Skipper
Steve Brooks
Ron Boxer
Alex Saunders
Jenny Baxter
Sam Lord
Jenny Lewis
Dave Mycock
Irene Whitehouse
Ed Sinclair
Julie Turner
The Orchestra
MD and Keyboard 1 - Ben Howell
Keyboard 2 - Ryan McCaffrey
Flute - Rachel Taylor
Cello - Claire Bartrum
Oboe - Claire Clarke
Percussion - Debbie Hiles
Producer - Kate Carpenter
Muscial Director - Ben Howell
Vocal Coach - Alex Saunders
Choreographer - Jane Wallace
The Cast
Jekyll / Hyde - Tom Clarke
Emma Carew - Megan Abbott
Lucy Harris - Julie Long
Nellie - Sarah Creasey
John Utterson - Dave Lilley
Sir Danvers Carew - Chip Carpenter
The Bishop of Basingstoke - Mike Cooke
General Glossop - Les Wright
Lady Beaconsfield - Sue Wright
Simon Stride - Ian Anderson
Chaplain - Nick Cheatle
Spider - Matt Kerslake
Lord Savage - Brian Turner
Sir Archibald Proops - Jimmy Harwood
Bisset / Apothecary - William Johnson
Newsboy - Daniel Coucill
Newsboy - Lizie Spavin
The Ensemble
Kate Ayres
Vera Boxer
Kristen Coucill
Chris Grazer
Allison Skipper
Steve Brooks
Ron Boxer
Alex Saunders
Jenny Baxter
Sam Lord
Jenny Lewis
Dave Mycock
Irene Whitehouse
Ed Sinclair
Julie Turner
The Orchestra
MD and Keyboard 1 - Ben Howell
Keyboard 2 - Ryan McCaffrey
Flute - Rachel Taylor
Cello - Claire Bartrum
Oboe - Claire Clarke
Percussion - Debbie Hiles
NODA Review
"A challenging piece and one Watlington Players rose to with great aplomb under a new artistic team. An effective yet minimalist set their standards worked well and created space to develop movement and scenes. Crisp direction coupled nicely balanced orchestra worked to produce a theatrical treat, fine costumes and complementary lighting added greatly to the atmospheric feel. Leading characters were well supported by a confident chorus that heightened the tension and the drama, the collective sound due in part to vocal coach Alex Saunders. Dave Lilley (Utterson) once again delivered a commanding performance; Chip Carpenter (Carew) along with all members of the ‘Board of Governors’ provided good support to proceedings exuding an air of Victorian double standards. Matthew Kerslake (Spider) was suitably menacing, while Julie Long (Lucy) projected vulnerability and sympathy. A beautiful performance from Megan Abbott (Emma) radiated warmth and love towards her fiancé Jekyll. Tom Clarke’s portrayal of this central character was quite spellbinding, (the best I have seen from him) as he wrung out every ounce of contrast from it. This production was a personal triumph for him and a stunning artistic success for the whole company, enhancing their growing reputation. Congratulations to all involved."
Jim Farr - NODA 28th May 2007
Jim Farr - NODA 28th May 2007
Lynn News Review
"The welcome at Watlington village hall for Tuesdays first night of Jekyll & Hyde by The Watlington Players was as warm as the evening. I knew nothing of the piece, and it turned out to be light operetta, the story told through the music, songs, and the singing. The musical is based on Robert Louis Stevensons The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, which follows the inner turmoil of Dr Henry Jekyll as he struggles to contain his darker side, personified by the evil and immoral Edward Hyde. The understated staging provided a perfect backdrop for the powerful performances. Costumes were by Judy Parson, Eileen Cook and Harvey Costumes, and were universally stunning. Every one of the 30-strong cast looked magnificent, and were prompt-free, as always. The unobtrusive six-piece orchestra had an atmospheric woodwind bias, and musical director Benjamin Howell delivered a long and complicated score with panache. There were strong supporting performances from Mike Cooke as Bishop of Basingstoke, Jimmy Harwood as Sir Archibold Proops, Chip Carpenter as Sir Danvers Carew and Matthew Kerslake as brothel owner Spider. Sue Wright was good value as Lady Beaconsfield, and Ian Anderson was outstanding, giving a perfectly-measured performance as Simon Stride. The story is narrated by Jekyll's close friend, lawyer John Utterson, played by Dave Lilley, and I enjoyed his relaxed, confident style. The two leading ladies were excellent. Megan Abbott was delightful as loyal fiancee Emma Carew, with a fine singing voice to match her superb acting ability. The darker of Jekyll's relationships featured Julie Long as prostitute Lucy Harris. Her performance was captivating. When Jekyll tends to the wounds inflicted by Hyde, I truly believed her pain. Her final, brutal murder was beautifully performed, and one of the most memorable moments. Over the years I have seen Tom Clarke glide convincingly through romantic leads. But I have never seen him perform better, delivering a brilliant virtuoso performance as Jekyll and Hyde, with a depth I could scarcely believe. His singing voice had clarity and volume, and his expert timing was as sharp as ever. I cannot overstate the power of this riveting performance. The overall staging must be credited to director Terry Grazer and was a visual triumph. Compliments also to vocal coach Alex Saunders, producer Kate Carpenter and choreographer Jane Wallace, who orchestrated movement rather than dances. Praise must go to Kate Ayres for a stunning and professional programme. If you do nothing else this year send the kids to your mother-in-law and see this show. I fancy it will be a while before West Norfolk see's a better production."
Stephen Hayter - Lynn News 25th May 2007
Stephen Hayter - Lynn News 25th May 2007
Eastern Daily Press Review
"This enterprising and talented group has done it again with a first-class West Norfolk debut production of this Bricusse and Wildhorn musical. Never afraid to treat audiences to something different, the talented production team and cast have taken a gamble with a not-so-familiar show but have pulled it off superbly well. Tom Clarke, well-known to local theatre audiences, carries off the demanding role of Dr Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde to masterful effect, wringing out every ounce of sympathy from the audience as he personally struggles to separate the two natures of man, good and evil. He plays opposite veteran actor, David Lilley, whose stage experience comes across in the role of John Utterson. Caught in the cross-fire of Jekyll's internal struggle are his fiancée, Emma, a powerful performance by Megan Abbott with the equally convincing Julie Long in the role of prostitute, Lucy Harris. The detail in this show is fantastic with wonderful 19th century costumes, and lighting which carry all the hall-marks of Kate Carpenter's wealth of theatrical experience in the producer's role. She, together with director Terry Grazier, create a visually striking moving tableau of Victorian London. In places the drama is so emotionally charged, that, particularly in the second half, you can hear a pin drop in the auditorium as attention is gripped by what is happening on stage as it races along to its dramatic and tragic finale. The show continues tonight and tomorrow. Catch it if you can, you won't be disappointed."
Richard Parr - EDP 25th May 2007
Richard Parr - EDP 25th May 2007