-A Vertigo Mystery Theatre Production-
Here’s a question: what if you had more than one personality?
I will let you ponder that question for a moment, and while you are doing that, I’d like to carefully describe what happened on a recent Thursday night.
-BACKGROUND-
When I heard that I was able to attend a production of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” at the Vertigo Mystery Theatre, I was ecstatic. What can I say? I am a sucker for live theatre. The last time I attended a live theatre production was at Rosebud Theatre in 2006, where I saw a Christmas special. I gained a sudden interest in acting after watching the beautiful performance. Of course, ever since then, I haven’t had a single opportunity to go to a theatre. Something changed in me that day. What draws me closer to attending live theatre more than watching movies at a cinema is that raw appeal, making connections with the actors slowly getting into their characters. What happened on Thursday night was truly remarkable. Not only did it bring back my appetite for live productions, it made me develop a keen perspective on human nature.
In case you didn’t know, the play “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” was adapted from the novella “A Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson, who also wrote “Treasure Island.” When the book first came out it was an immediate success, and playwrights grabbed the opportunity to adapt the book and put it on stage. The first play was a smashing success, and soon became a phenomenon.
-THE PLAY-
The play centers on well-known themes, such as good vs. evil and man vs. himself. There are six actors that play multiple roles, and they play their characters so well that each time a new character is introduced you are not aware that they are the exact same actor/actress. The play is an interesting twist from the original work, as Mr. Edward Hyde, Dr. Henry Jekyll’s darker half, is split into four different actors. This change creates a deeper outlook on the many aspects of evil. The play thoroughly explores the violent conflict between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and at times, touches on the importance of love. A chambermaid by the name of Elizabeth falls in love with Mr. Hyde, acknowledging there’s something more to Hyde than being evil. As the romantic relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Hyde begins to unfold, I found myself compelled by Elizabeth’s courage and strength to overcome her fears of Mr. Hyde and find his loving side.
One particular moment in the play where it sent shivers down my spine was Dr. Jekyll’s transformation to Mr. Hyde. When Dr. Jekyll drinks the potion to become his other self, his inhuman cries fill the entire theatre. The wailing of this man-beast was truly horrific, and when the transformation was complete I was haunted by what I just saw on the stage. This was just one of the incredible moments where you, as an audience, felt appreciation for the performance of the actors. Having read the book, I knew that this play would have a dark and suspenseful mood. I was pleasantly surprised that this wasn’t exactly the case. There were some laugh-out-loud moments which really made the performance that much better. A notable performance is when Sir Danvers Carew, Dr. Jekyll’s colleague and nemesis, has an outburst on stage. The scene is filled with so many laughs that it makes you forget that this is supposed to be a dark play.
How do you know when the actors have been successful? When they have made you identify and relate with the characters that they have created. I myself love acting because I get to become another character, and I get to expose all the strengths and weaknesses of that character. In “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” you can relate with several different characters, depending on your gender. If you are a female, you may want to relate yourself to Elizabeth, a woman that is innocent and loving, but is unwilling to give up. If you are a male, you may want to relate yourself to Mr. Hyde, a man that may be reckless and unforgiving, but is willing to love someone that accepts him. All these characteristics are relatable, and the actors’ performances make it that much more meaningful.
-AFTER THE PLAY-
The play is relatively short, but it’s packed with so much action and suspense you will have a satisfied feeling when you leave the theatre. You will want to discuss it with your family and your friends after you have seen it, and you may want to go back to watch it again. It is that hypnotizing, and you will have a greater appreciation for Robert Louis Stevenson and the mystery genre after the viewing.
Unfortunately the production ended on Sunday after a month-long run at Vertigo Theatre. Don’t be disappointed though, as there are other adaptations that are just as phenomenal. The original novella is available at many libraries in Calgary, and there are numerous movies with each of their unique adaptations. If you HAVE seen the play and have the uncontrollable urge to share your opinion, please leave a comment and let me know what you have thought of it.
If you want to catch upcoming shows at Vertigo Theatre, check out the website www.vertigotheatre.com.
That’s it for now, see you at the theatres!