This was among the best theatre I have experienced. Walmsley Church Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society's production of Jekyll and Hyde, The Musical, was simply stunning - a powerful theatrical experience.
The cast were perfectly suited to their parts - from the mesmerising Steve Benson, who could have stepped right off the pages from Robert Louis Stevenson's gothic masterpiece - to Poole, Dr. Jekyll's worried butler. The classic story was performed as it should be. It was powerful, emotional with real moments of terror. This theatre company has a deservedly excellent reputation for staging great theatre, but it excelled itself with this production. It was easy to forget that this was an amateur production because so much of it was on a par with professional productions I have watched.
Benson portrayed perfectly the tormented Jekyll who becomes the horrifying Hyde. His acting was spectacular, terrifying yet emotional, expressed not just through his evocative voice but through his outstanding acting, shown at its best in his performance of Confrontation. Professional actors would struggle to create such a powerful scene. The talented cast included Adrienne Wormald, who used her moving voice to reflect the vulnerabilities of her character Lucy, showing herself to be another strong actor. Lindsay Farnworth, who plays Emma, is well suited to her part as Jekyll's first love interest. David Wilson who played Gabriel John Utterson was utterly superb as Hyde's friend, reflecting the feelings of a captivated audience.
Excellent direction and choreography resulted in colourful dance and set pieces by the company. A mention must also go to Norman Bowers and John Cocking whose fantastic and clever use of lighting made the transformation of Jekyll into Hyde theatre magic, among the most effective I have seen on stage and in multi-million pound Hollywood films.
This really was a professional production in all but in name with every single member of the cast and backstage crew pulling off what is a difficult musical to stage. This really is an unmissable production. The show runs until November 10 at the Parish Hall Theatre, Egerton. For information ring 01204 305812.
