Derby Opera Company :: Jekyll & Hyde 2007

Below is a review in the Derby Evening Telegraph on the 9th November 2006 by Andy Potter:

NO DARK SIDE TO THIS SUPERB JEKYLL & HYDE MUSICAL

Let's cut straight to the chase: this latest production by Derby Opera Company, Jekyll & Hyde the Musical, is possibly the best amateur musical production I have ever seen. Casting, choreography, orchestration & performances are straight out of the top drawer & director Nigel Taylor should be proud of what he & his talented cast have achieved.

There can't be many people who don't know the story of Doctor Jekyll & his experiments, which bring out his dark side in the form of Edward Hyde. The responsibility placed on the shoulders of Andrew Booth in the title role is immense but he has the presence, acting talent & vocal ability to bring his character to vivid life. His love interests are played by Lynn Nelson as Lucy, the tart who comes to the Doctor for help, only to be abused by his alter ego, & Becky Wallhead as his fiance, Emma, who knows little of her beau's experiments. Both are equal to their leading man.

However, this production is littered with good performances, & in an embarrassment of riches I could spend the whole of this review naming the cast. Musical director Andrew J Booth (no relation to the lead) has assembled a superb orchestra, & the first-night audience lapped up the feast laid before them.

This production is the East Midlands amateur premiere of the Leslie Bricusse musical, &, as is the problem with any show that people don't know much about, I feel that there is sometimes a trepidation to watch something that is away from the norm.

I cannot urge you enough to catch this show before it closes on Saturday night, & that goes for people outside the normal Derby theatre-going fraternity. Jekyll & Hyde the Musical has no dark side - quite simply, it's superb!