Blackeyed Theatre, in association with South Hill Park, presents The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde By Robert Louis Stevenson. Adapted by Nick Lane.

“A thrillingly dark drama”
The Stage
“A finely crafted adaptation that will keep you fastened to your seat”
British Theatre Guide
“A writer who knows what he’s doing”
The Guardian
★★★★★ “Stylish and thrilling”
Spy in the Stalls
★★★★★ “A superb performance… The acting is brilliant”
The Latest

★★★★ “A triumph… Inspirational, innovative & very smart indeed”
Pocket Size Theatre

With its UK tour from Autumn 2021 UK continuing to May 2022, Blackeyed Theatre revives its acclaimed production, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Nick Lane’s thrilling adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s dark psychological fantasy, originally due to open in September 2020. This thrilling play is currently on a tour of over a hundred dates. East Midlands Theatre will be reviewing it on Feb 7th when it comes to The Albany Theatre in Coventry 7-8 Feb 2020.

Historically, Blackeyed Theatre staged the production in September 2020 for just one performance for the purposes of filming, in order to provide audiences with the chance to watch the show online while theatres have remained closed.

The roles of Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde are played by Blake Kubena (Vikings, History Channel; Othello, Alabama Shakespeare Festival; All’s Well that Ends Well, Minack Theatre). Joining Blake and reprising their roles from Blackeyed Theatre’s 2017 production are Zach Lee (Bouncers, Glass Menagerie, Hull Truck; The Derby McQueen Affair, York Theatre Royal; Treasure Island, Harrogate Theatre) as Gabriel Utterson, Paige Round (Hurling Rubble at the Moon, Park Theatre; Nobody, Hanyong Theatre/National Theatre Company of Korea) as Eleanor Lanyon and Ashley Sean-Cook (Frankenstein, Blackeyed Theatre; The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Children’s Touring Partnership; Might Never Happen, King’s Head) as Hastings Lanyon.

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde is adapted and directed by Nick Lane, who was Associate Director and Literary Manager at Hull Truck from 2006 to 2014, with original music composed by Tristan Parkes. Completing the artistic team are Enric Ortuño (Movement and Intimacy Director), Victoria Spearing (Set Design), Naomi Gibbs (Costume Design) and Claire Childs (Lighting Design).

Doctor Henry Jekyll is a good man. Successful within his field and respected by his peers, he’s close to a neurological discovery that will change the face of medical science forever. However, his methods are less than ethical and when a close friend and colleague threatens to expose and destroy his work, Jekyll is forced to experiment on himself, whereupon something goes very wrong…or very right. Suddenly Jekyll has a new friend, the brutal Edward Hyde.

This gripping production takes inspiration from Lane’s own personal journey. Injured by a car accident at the age of 26 that permanently damaged his neck and back, Lane imagines Jekyll as a physically weakened man who discovers a cure for his ailments, a cure that also unearths the darkest corners of his psyche. Lane says, “I wondered, if someone offered me a potion that was guaranteed to make me feel the way I did before the accident, but with the side effect that I’d become ruthless and horrible – would I drink it?” Combining ensemble storytelling, physical theatre, movement and Lane’s razor-sharp script, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, alongside a new musical score by Tristan Parkes remains true to the spirit and themes of the original novella while offering modern audiences one or two surprises.

Lane, who was Associate Director and Literary Manager at Hull Truck from 2006 to 2014, comments, “I’m incredibly excited to be working with Blackeyed Theatre again. To revisit a story that I love and adapt it for four terrific actors, particularly at such a unique time for the industry, is an absolute gift for me! I hope people book their seats and then spend the entire show on the edge of them.

The Strange Case of Dr Jeykll and Mr Hyde will be playing at The Albany Theatre Coventry 7-8 Feb 2022

Tour dates and venues.