Blog Review: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde 28 March 2018 by Visit Blackpool Seamless transitions radiate throughout this dark and chilling performance of David Edgar’s adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. From Phil Daniels’ metamorphosis from respectable Dr Jekyll into the malevolent Mr Hyde, to faultless transitions of set between the foggy streets of London and the even less comforting indoors, all aspects of this uncanny play become one, perfectly mirroring Jekyll and his alter-ego. In the plot, Dr Henry Jekyll delves into the human psyche using notes from his father’s experiments and splits his personality in two, releasing the sinister Edward Hyde. As Hyde inspires terror and violence in the city, Jekyll must find a solution to abolish this inner demon before it is too late. As warned by Jekyll’s widowed sister (played by Polly Frame) “I suddenly saw two of you… you and a shadow”, director Kate Saxon continues with this theme of duality and union throughout the production. Phil Daniels plays both Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, transforming on stage and quickly switching roles from respectable doctor to murderous villain, slowly wearing down on Jekyll’s sanity and free-will. The performance from all characters contributes to the restless atmosphere, causing audience members to look over their shoulder in the darkness; all were believably in fear of Mr Hyde. The haunting omniscient singer (Rosie Abraham) not only aids the building of tension with her drawn-out notes and sinister songs, but also contributes to the gliding from scene to scene. Despite the indisputable apprehensive atmosphere for the audience, a comic incongruity rises out of Mr Hyde, sometimes seeming as the village drunk, and from the witty comments of the butler, Poole (played by Sam Cox), that shine a glimmer of light into the play’s pool of darkness. The set design works marvellously with the production, the two-floored staging allowing a clear separation between the public and private, such as Dr Jekyll’s laboratory. Furthermore, it is a versatile set, allowing quick changes in location without disrupting the tense atmosphere. The production’s lighting also plays a pivotal role as the juxtaposition of light from darkness not only provides symbolism in the play’s themes of duality and morality, but also helps to build atmosphere and transition the scenes further. Altogether, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a chilling watch from start to finish, where it is clearly of utmost importance to sustain the nail-biting atmosphere and keep an ambiguity between duality and union, allowing the audience to consider their own darker side. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is being performed until Saturday 31 March 2018 at The Grand Theatre. Click here to book. This review was written by Kate Baguley.