Jekyll and Hyde at Darlington Hippodrome

Jekyll and Hyde by Darlington Operatic Society

It’s not often that you get chance to see something new, for which you have no preconceived ideas and have been able to avoid any previous reviews.  Whilst many have read the story of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, there are few who have seen it as a musical and even fewer who will have enjoyed such a powerful and professional production as Darlington Operatic Society are performing.

With the story closely following Robert Louis Stevensons’s classic gothic tale, this deep view of the human psyche exposes the fundamental challenges everybody has; there is good and evil in us all, it is how we control them that determines who we are.

For this performance, the eponymous lead is played by Luke Oldfield who, from the very first scene, is the quintessential Victorian scientist, long hair tied back, resplendent in waistcoat and presenting with the clipped accent of the London elite.  His appeal to the governing body for their approval to continue his experiments is almost Darwinian yet, even at this apparent sane stage, he is able to convey a deeper desire, a drive to succeed and a passion to do so at all costs, especially when they all vote to refuse him his request and so sew the seeds of hatred which grow into the actions of murder.

The gentleman doctor is engaged to be married to socialite Emma Carew (played by the one and only Beth Hopper whose voice is instantly recognisable and as warm and welcome as summer rain) so he finds his passions for science somewhat constrained by the expected façade of society.  Torn between playing the expected love struck fiancée and his true passion for scientific discovery, it is when the good Doctor assumes his alter ego that Luke goes though a metamorphosis which would rival many CGI driven movies. 

His long hair becomes an unkept mass, his body seems to grow to almost twice his size and the menace he exudes is simply terrifying.  At first you will find yourself checking that there are not two actors but no, it is simply a masterclass to any actor on how to drive a character into the heart of the performance.  Driven by his being shunned by his peers, Hyde sets out to wreak his own sense of justice, with murderous intent.

As the Doctor begins to wrestle with his inner demon he seeks solace with Lucy, a hard candy coated, soft centred working girl who sees in Dr Jekyll a turmoil and anguish she can relate to.  Sadly for both her and the doc, Mr Hyde also sees Lucy as someone he can engage with, and despite, or perhaps because, of Jekyll's affections, he sets out to destroy her.  Jessica Harrison, as Lucy, is outstanding.  Often such platitudes are used lightly but here it is so very much deserved and as the 3^rd person in a triangle of turmoil, she plays the innocent loser with such passion and compassion that it is hard not to be moved to tears.

The sets and costumes for this production are steeped in Victoriana – elegant gowns and capes of high society are played off against the rags and squalor of the London slums while the soundtrack is very much akin to the depth and magnitude of Les Miserables – anthemic themes are balanced against soulful solos.

Darlington Operatic Society are widely heralded as the region’s best amateur theatre company but this production surely elevates them into a new and exciting division – I doubt that there are many, if any, companies across the whole UK who can deliver such a polished and professional performance.  As someone who now works in London, this is a performance that would not be out of place amongst the West End – for the people of Darlington, you must go and see this.

 

Running from October 23^rd until 2^nd November at Darlington Hippodrome, Tickets are on sale now by calling the Ticket Hotline on 01325 244659 or online at www.darlingtonos.org.uk.  

DISCLAIMER Neither DOS nor your author can be held liable for any nightmares following this show.

Advisory 12 years+

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Darlington Operatic Society

Once again, Darlington Operatic Society prove that they are capable of producing a 10/10, supremely professional, highly energetic and original show which will appeal to the whole family. 

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the much loved children’s tale penned by Bond creator Ian Flemming, lives long and fond in the memories of almost every child.  The quintessential Disney-styled family unit of one missing parent and the trials of the other bringing up two delightful, if somewhat spirited, kids alone is instantly recognisable.  Coupled with the magic of a flying car, the subterfuge of spies, the peril of being captured in a far away land and the villainous Kiddie Catcher there’s not much missing for children to lose themselves to. 

Of course, the movie brought to life the characters of Caractacus Potts, Truly Scrumptious et al and through the 1968 Roald Dahl production, most peoples’ personalisations of the characters were set.  To many, Dick van Dyke will always be the hapless inventor, Sally Ann Howes the eponymous Truly and Robert Helpman the stuff of kindergarten nightmares.   It is therefore because of the fondness for the film that any company attempting to put on a stage production will have an additional hurdle to vault – that of persuading the audience that their versions are just as worthy of belief.

DOS have never been one to shy away from a challenge and their opening night performance of Chitty once again demonstrates they have a massive pool of talent to draw on.  Taking the lead as Potts the inventor is Julian Cound who warms into the role and is at his most charming when interacting with his on stage children, the wonderful Matthew Scott & Alix Lennie (who were mesmerisingly good).  Despite now being one of the senior statesmen of the society, Julian’s energy and enjoyment is there for all to see, his careful nurturing of the young cast making them at ease to relax and perform as rehearsed.  Julian has always had a great stage voice and once again he demonstrates his range throughout, though there may be some who would doubt his ability to sing the kids to sleep with a rather powerful rendition of Hushabye Mountain.  Playing opposite Julian as the delicious Truly Scrumptious is DOS’s own theatre superstar Beth Hopper – Beth has the purity of voice and stage grace worth the admission fee on her own and shows genuine maternal care towards Matthew and Alix.  Whether playing a fairy godmother or a potential glamourous step-mother, she lights up the whole auditorium.  Completing the Potts gang is the last stalwart of the Empire, Grandpa, played by David Murray who manages to blend Lionel Jeffries with Blakey from On the Buses to brilliant effect.

Of course, the titular star needs her own mention – Chitty is a wonderful creation and through very clever stage management and lighting, the sailing and flying scenes are brilliantly believable.

The challenge for choreography and direction is in ensuring scenes without Chitty are not simply seen as fillers until the magical mechanical star returns; of course, the anthemic title song makes this rather difficult but by allowing both the Vulgarian spies (Nick Myers and Eddie Taylor-Jones) and the Baron and Baroness to impart some humour, Director Joanne Hand has overlaid genuine comedy to compliment the traditional musical storytelling.  I doubt there has been a funnier double act seen on this stage (in either guise) who could beat Hannah Teasdale and Leighton Taylor-Jones – their chemistry as the toy mad Baron and his child-phobic wife is pure comedy gold worthy of a spin off show all of their own.  With more than a few hidden naughty winks for the adults they border on pantomime without ever threatening to descend into a festive farce and I would urge any producer to check them out.

As always with a DOS production, the ensemble provide high energy dance routines and plenty of rousing choruses, giving the audience exactly what they hope for and expect – a wonderful family night which is guaranteed to leave you with an ear-worm for your journey home.

Due to the nature of casting and the younger members of the team, there are two separate casts for a number of the roles.  As such some of the roles mentioned in this review may be played by others in subsequent performances but there's one guarantee, they will all come with the DOS seal of quality