The Strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Added on 24 Sep 2009
The Ruffled Umbrella Company & The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Played as a Tragedy and then a Comedy.
Same Script. Same Cast. Different Interpretations.
After returning from a successful Edinburgh Fringe Run, with sell out audiences, The Ruffled Umbrella Company performed ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’ at The Rondo (Larkhall, Bath) 30th September & 1st October. The show received an excellent response from the Bath audience and there was some very favourable feedback in the post-show talks.
Dr. Harry Jekyll is thrown into a double life by the use of his newly discovered elixir. He is able to be an upstanding member of society, and yet by drinking his concoction he is able to transform into the lustful, monstrous figure that is Mr. Edward Hyde. His friends and fiancée see less and less of him as his duality of life takes control...
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde illustrated the nature of dual-personality, by being a double show itself. This new adaptation by Philip Wall was played as a tragedy on even dates and a comedy on odd dates.
The tragedy explored if Mr. Hyde is to blame for being evil. He was created from the lusts and desires of Dr. Jekyll, does he have any choice in how to act? Who is really guilty - Jekyll, or Hyde? Man will always have desires beneath him, it's whether or not he chooses to act on these desires that will make him good or evil.
The comedy was designed to be a perfect complement to the tragedy. It enabled the audience to look at the story from a totally different point of view, where heroes became villains, and foes became friends. The performance style was extremely physical, based around commedia dell' arte.
The Ruffled Umbrella Company is an emerging theatre company based in Bath that are starting to make a name for themselves. They specialise in event theatre and site specific theatre.
In the short time that they've been running, they have won several Awards, including an international award for ‘best show’ at a Festival d’Hiver in Paris, with their production of ‘Dinner’ by Moira Buffini (March 2008), as well as a position on Bath Spa University’s ‘Launchpad’ scheme, which provides them with ‘in-kind’ support including residency and professional advice.
The company of four are currently in research and development for their next big project: a site specific version of 'Hamlet' set in a 1920's Jazz bar. The company also offer educational programmes to young people and schools.
For further information, photographs, interviews etc please contact:
ROB COTTRELL, Marketing Manager & Education Officer
Email : robcottrell@ruffledumbrella.co.uk
Telephone : 0753 353 8575
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