It’s a rare treat to get to see a piece of good theater, not for a lack of good productions, but for a lack of personal free time on my part. What’s more scarce than good theater is a good scare, and a horror play for me is almost unheard of (I am a huge horror fan). Upon learning that the Tennessee Repertory Theater was performing Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, my schedule suddenly cleared up. Adapted for the stage by Jeffrey Hatcher, this theatrical delicacy is based on the century-old classic novella by Robert Louis Stevenson and is a must-see performance for any fan of the stage or iconic literature.
For those uninitiated, the story is the tale of Dr. Henry Jekyll, a much-respected London doctor whose relationship with the mysterious, malevolent and monstrous Mr. Edward Hyde proves to be more than dichotomous as the ghastly crimes of Mr. Hyde are pinned on his social counterpart. Through the monologues of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, it is revealed that they are actually two personalities of the same body, triggered by experimentation with various “powders and tinctures” in an effort to discover the potential of the human mind. The good doctor gets more than he bargained for when he realizes that the doorways of the brain, once opened, cannot be closed so easily, as lust, fear, hatred and the depravity of mankind holds great power over the mind.
Much in the tradition of the Grand Guignol, this play is every bit as thrilling and terrifying to the senses as the good doctor becomes the puppet to his own inner psyche. And just like his relationship with Mr. Hyde, the play serves as the darker, more invigorated counterpart to the novel, showing a fresh side to the story of the book, its metamorphosis a byproduct of the dark experimentation only witnessed in live theater. The actors are superb, and the caliber of their performances reaffirms the importance of local theater. The production design, which is simultaneously stylish yet not a distraction, and the story a fresh interpretation of the darkness lingering inside of our souls. It’s smart, detailed and entertaining at every twist and turn.
The best part about this play is that it reacquaints the 21st century with one of the most influential stories ever told. Before Strange Case, mass culture was somewhat unfamiliar with the reality of dissociative identity disorder (commonly referred to as “split personalities”) and the horrors that lurked deep inside each one of us. And despite being a classic, the tale of Jekyll and Hyde has been elusive to major audiences, at least audiences of the last few decades. Hatcher’s re-imagining breathes a new life into the characters, blurring even further the fine moral line between the two title characters. By the chilling conclusion, we are ultimately left asking, “What is good and what is evil?”
If you’re looking for a story with a good scare, look no further than the Tennessee Repertory Theater. Performances are running through Nov. 3, and you will definitely want to catch this play before the curtains fall for the last time. Tickets are available at tennesseerep.org.
