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Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
60 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2008
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 29, 2023
Finally got the opportunity to read the script, after seeing it performed years ago in San Jose. I love this interpretation.
April 8, 2023
First, this brings the story to the stage in a way provides the drama that isn't obvious in the original novella. Dramatically, it works, even if it requires the audience to use their imagination by seeing one Jekyll and four Hydes.
So forgive me if this review concentrates on what's wrong with the script. It's a good play.
There's a bit of sloppiness that surprised me, considering this was written by Jeffrey Hatcher who wrote the marvellous Compleat Female Stage Beauty. Part of that comes from him being an American imagining English dialogue of the 19th century (no Jeff, an Englishman would not misuse 'moot' in that way) but he also gets some of the logic wrong. Acting it on stage I had to rewrite one line because it didn't make sense, and I wanted to rewrite another but it wasn't my line. In both cases, the line meant the complete opposite of what the character meant.
But the worst thing is that this play is published by The Dramatists Play Service Inc, an odious, loathsome organisation that should be shunned by any theatre group. Despite us already having copies of the script, they insisted that buying the rights entailed them sending copies of the script with £60 post & packaging, even though it surely couldn't have cost more than £10. And the script is laid out in such a way as to make it devilishly difficult for actors to learn. Nobody has laid out scripts like that in 40 years, confusing stage directions with dialogue.
So forgive me if this review concentrates on what's wrong with the script. It's a good play.
There's a bit of sloppiness that surprised me, considering this was written by Jeffrey Hatcher who wrote the marvellous Compleat Female Stage Beauty. Part of that comes from him being an American imagining English dialogue of the 19th century (no Jeff, an Englishman would not misuse 'moot' in that way) but he also gets some of the logic wrong. Acting it on stage I had to rewrite one line because it didn't make sense, and I wanted to rewrite another but it wasn't my line. In both cases, the line meant the complete opposite of what the character meant.
But the worst thing is that this play is published by The Dramatists Play Service Inc, an odious, loathsome organisation that should be shunned by any theatre group. Despite us already having copies of the script, they insisted that buying the rights entailed them sending copies of the script with £60 post & packaging, even though it surely couldn't have cost more than £10. And the script is laid out in such a way as to make it devilishly difficult for actors to learn. Nobody has laid out scripts like that in 40 years, confusing stage directions with dialogue.
October 23, 2017
I was surprised that this stage adaptation of Jekyll and Hyde was written by the same playwright who adapted Nikolai Gogol's Government Inspector. While the show wasn't the best in quality and it was hard to focus on the quality of writing because of the directing and acting, I can say the script is... okay.
I've never read Jekyll and Hyde before, so I don't know how faithful of an adaptation this is to the Stevenson novel, but the imagery and narrative structures are very creative. It was unique to see how most of the characters dressed as Hyde and were given the cane and would transform into the darker half of Jekyll- implying this thematic idea that everyone has a darker side, everyone lacks a soul.
The narrative structure also makes the play come across more as a collection of letters and documents acted on stage, similar to Leroux's framework in Phantom of the Opera. It's a unique format that I enjoy a lot, and I think it lended itself well to a story like this.
However... this story is very cheesy and so many parts of it had me wondering if it was the over-the-top acting of the production I saw, or the actual quality of writing itself. I've come to the conclusion that it was a little of both. Some of the dialogue is very melodramatic and the characters (While portrayed in very ridiculous manners by the actors) were written to be portrayed in very over-the-top interpretations.
I'm willing to read the play or see some other versions of this play in the future for a better re-evaluation but for the most part it's alright. There were some effective scenes here and there (mostly the murder scenes), but the rest of it was just too ridiculous for me to take seriously.
I've never read Jekyll and Hyde before, so I don't know how faithful of an adaptation this is to the Stevenson novel, but the imagery and narrative structures are very creative. It was unique to see how most of the characters dressed as Hyde and were given the cane and would transform into the darker half of Jekyll- implying this thematic idea that everyone has a darker side, everyone lacks a soul.
The narrative structure also makes the play come across more as a collection of letters and documents acted on stage, similar to Leroux's framework in Phantom of the Opera. It's a unique format that I enjoy a lot, and I think it lended itself well to a story like this.
However... this story is very cheesy and so many parts of it had me wondering if it was the over-the-top acting of the production I saw, or the actual quality of writing itself. I've come to the conclusion that it was a little of both. Some of the dialogue is very melodramatic and the characters (While portrayed in very ridiculous manners by the actors) were written to be portrayed in very over-the-top interpretations.
I'm willing to read the play or see some other versions of this play in the future for a better re-evaluation but for the most part it's alright. There were some effective scenes here and there (mostly the murder scenes), but the rest of it was just too ridiculous for me to take seriously.
November 28, 2020
It's a decent, unique adaptation, but something did not grab me.
January 1, 2024
El re plot twist. Muy psicológico y misterioso
February 12, 2024
was lucky enough to see North Coast Rep put it on (twice) and was so taken by the language that I needed to read the words myself, to properly marinate in them. While the cast entire was rife with chemistry and horror and humor and fun, I should note the principle Hyde, a Mr Conner Marx, was a standout in turns of devastating humanity and splendid melodrama. And played perfectly against his Jekyll, Mr Bruce Turk, who has a mastery over this stylish voice of the show like no other. I adored it.
As for this book, this play itself, and the words on the page, it’s a romp and written with a quick, precision to make it a page turner. To see the way each scene so effortlessly blends in to the next, using the framing of found literature to set the stage and cover the transition, so simple, yet so effective. This thing moves! I love the chorus of Hydes, the use of language as weapon and shield, and the acceptance that the biggest “twist” of the show is long since revealed, and therefore, the focus of this show is better spent investing in the humans who endure the horror and the relationships between them. Love the writing, loved seeing it on its feet. All in all, very very good.
https://northcoastrep.org/production/...
As for this book, this play itself, and the words on the page, it’s a romp and written with a quick, precision to make it a page turner. To see the way each scene so effortlessly blends in to the next, using the framing of found literature to set the stage and cover the transition, so simple, yet so effective. This thing moves! I love the chorus of Hydes, the use of language as weapon and shield, and the acceptance that the biggest “twist” of the show is long since revealed, and therefore, the focus of this show is better spent investing in the humans who endure the horror and the relationships between them. Love the writing, loved seeing it on its feet. All in all, very very good.
https://northcoastrep.org/production/...
December 21, 2013
Mr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Have you ever believed that you had two sides, an evil one and a good one? But, have you ever taught that you could separate both sides that they turn into two people? Well Mr.Jekyll made the impossible. He made a medicine that could turn him either to the good or bad side of Mr.Jekyll. The good side was Mr.Jekyll, a brilliant doctor that was liked by everyone. And, the evil one Mr.Hyde was a mean person that killed 2 people and was disliked by everyone. Mr.Jekyll worked a lot and was very stressed, but whenever he needed a break he would make the medicine and drink it, in seconds he would feel pain, shake, and scream. Then he turned to evil Mr.Hyde. He turned to Mr. Hyde whenever he was stressed and needed freedom. When he was Mr.Hyde he was a young, strong, free, and irresponsible guy. He made a own life with Mr.Hyde. He bought him clothes and a place to stay. He would get drunk and fight people. But, one day he ended up killing 2 people and hurting a little girl. To me the book was really like I was experiencing the two sides of Mr.Jykell.
Have you ever believed that you had two sides, an evil one and a good one? But, have you ever taught that you could separate both sides that they turn into two people? Well Mr.Jekyll made the impossible. He made a medicine that could turn him either to the good or bad side of Mr.Jekyll. The good side was Mr.Jekyll, a brilliant doctor that was liked by everyone. And, the evil one Mr.Hyde was a mean person that killed 2 people and was disliked by everyone. Mr.Jekyll worked a lot and was very stressed, but whenever he needed a break he would make the medicine and drink it, in seconds he would feel pain, shake, and scream. Then he turned to evil Mr.Hyde. He turned to Mr. Hyde whenever he was stressed and needed freedom. When he was Mr.Hyde he was a young, strong, free, and irresponsible guy. He made a own life with Mr.Hyde. He bought him clothes and a place to stay. He would get drunk and fight people. But, one day he ended up killing 2 people and hurting a little girl. To me the book was really like I was experiencing the two sides of Mr.Jykell.
August 15, 2016
In this vacation, I read this book. This book shows us human’s bad side and kind side.
Dr. Jekyll was really kind and polite man. One day, he made some weird medicine. When we eat that medicine, our body changed to other people. Dr. Jekyll ate that medicine and become Mr. Hyde. Mr. Hyde is very bad person. And he behave rude to neighbor. Therefore, most of neighbor tried to catch Hyde and punished him. But nobody could find him. Because Hyde is human who Dr. Jekyll changed. But after few weeks Mr. Hyde couldn’t change to Dr. Jekyll. By this book, I could notice sometimes being rude and bad to somebody can make my life and myself to bad people.
Dr. Jekyll was really kind and polite man. One day, he made some weird medicine. When we eat that medicine, our body changed to other people. Dr. Jekyll ate that medicine and become Mr. Hyde. Mr. Hyde is very bad person. And he behave rude to neighbor. Therefore, most of neighbor tried to catch Hyde and punished him. But nobody could find him. Because Hyde is human who Dr. Jekyll changed. But after few weeks Mr. Hyde couldn’t change to Dr. Jekyll. By this book, I could notice sometimes being rude and bad to somebody can make my life and myself to bad people.
May 6, 2012
Interesting re-imagining of the old story. Incredibly theatrical which was very cool. Also it moved with great pace and had a very interesting dramatic irony to it. Because we all know a little about the story, it actually played well in experiencing it. Always waiting for something bad to happen.
June 17, 2011
What a good play! I'm auditioning for this one, too and I love the concept! A small ensemble cast with lots of cool imagery built into the action. Fingers crossed!
August 7, 2012
Mr. Hyde lives in us all. I can't wait to see this staged.
October 7, 2013
It's not bad. I don't get the love story in the second act, but it's not bad.
September 27, 2015
Fascinating adaptation. Really liked how it used a small ensemble to fill many roles. Also really liked that each actor played Hyde at various points. Good script.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews