An intense theatrical masterpiece.
Presented by: Sydney Theatre Company
Reviewed: 3 March, 2023
The Adelaide Festival has a rich history of bringing some of the best theatrical experiences to our state each year. Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is another example of just this. This production is one that I am certain audiences will be talking about for some time.
Based on the classic gothic novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, it has been masterfully adapted for the Sydney Theatre Company by this production’s director, Kip Williams. Williams has successfully created a fast moving script that cleverly adapted from Louis Stevenson’s original novel. It borderlines being a little too wordy at times, but the chaos of the script does keep you alert and in the moment. This is not the sort of show to attend if you are planning on a night to sit back and relax; it does require your full attention from the very start.
Like Sydney Theatre Company’s outstanding production of The Picture of Dorian Gray, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a mesmerising theatrical treat that is not only acted on stage, but is also filmed and shown on multiple giant screens that move above, around, and on the stage. This crossover between theatre and cinema pulls the audience into this production very quickly, taking them on a very intense journey. As an audience member, you are often torn between watching the stage acting and the screens. The filmed footage is presented in black and white, giving a film-noir feel which only enhances the original text.
Matthew Backer and Ewen Leslie are spellbinding. This script and direction from Williams demands a lot from this duo, but they each handle it with the care and intensity it calls for. Both actors are at the top of their game. They play a variety of roles with John Utterson being Backer’s central character and Leslie tackling Jekyll/Hyde. Each switch seamlessly between characters with well-considered changes in how they hold their body and accents for the different characters. The script is driven by narration in the third person that Backer and Leslie deliver in neutral accents, often to the audience or camera.
With only two in the cast, there is some clever switching at times to pre-filmed dialogue to allow Backer and Leslie moments to switch into another character. These changes between live and pre-filmed happened seamlessly, often mid scene. If you blinked, you would miss the change.
Credit must also go to the incredible crew. Without them, this show would not work. They made this show move seamlessly, with set changes, assisting quick costume changes, camera operation. The choreography of their stage movement was slick. It was pleasing to see them also acknowledged during the curtain calls.
Like in a good film, the score to support this production is extremely dramatic. Clemence Williams has composed a very thoughtful and supportive score that accompanies Kip Williams text perfectly, as does the dramatic lighting design by Nick Schilepers. Every element of Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde has been thought through, and are all complementary of each other.
Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is another success from the Sydney Theatre Company and a ‘must see’ for your 2023 Adelaide Festival line up. It is theatre at its best, mixing the world of old theatre with new technology to create a thought-provoking work that will take you on a very intense, but enjoyable journey.
Reviewed by Ben Stefanoff
Photo credit: Daniel Boud
Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre
Season: March 3 – 12, 2023
Duration: 1 hour and 50 mins, no interval
Tickets: From $89
Bookings: https://www.adelaidefestival.com.au/events/strange-case-of-dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/
