Ecclesall Theatre Company’s Dr Jekyll & Mr hyde – 12 May 2026, Ecclesall Parish Hall
Review by Lou Taylor.
Last night I attended the opening performance of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde at Ecclesall Theatre Company.
Audiences who have previously attended this Society’s productions (ie. The Ghost Train) are used to seeing detailed stage sets and appropriate props. This production effectively uses a simple stage setting of black background with mobile stage properties, seamlessly brought on and off by a costumed team of crew.
The play opens at night-time, an atmospheric smoke drifts across the stage and we know where we are. No, not in Sheffield but a back street of old London town. A place where lamplighters work their local patch, coffee merchants and ladies of the night tout for trade. The lighting effects set this scene and from this start we know that we are in for a tale of terror and intrigue.
A scream off stage, a gentleman (Tom Pymer) heading home from perhaps a night at his club or the theatre. A shout for the police and then the whistle and boom, we are transported back in time. Enter the police constable (Tom Davis) and we are drawn into the laboratory of Dr Henry Jekyll (David Barton).
This play is an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic Gothic tale. It has been written by Paul Voodini with input from Kera Rhodes who makes her debut as Director with E.T.C. She has used a minimal set and effective sound / lighting as a backdrop to the events which take place. I was pleased to see the scene transitions and use of the crew (in costume) involving a team effort. It looked seamless. I expect they had rehearsed this from the get-go and were part of the performance itself.
The story is told via conversations between the Dr Jekyll, Mr Hyde (Daniel O’Key), Detective Inspector Enfield (Graham Millar) and Police Constable Carrier (Tom Davis complete with mutton chops facial hair). The supporting cast appear in the “flash-back” scenes where the action is re-wound and we see what happened, who screamed and how they befell a certain death. These cast are also the stage crew so Kiera has really used everyone.
I enjoyed the singing of Rose, the street girl (Hal Grayson) with great stage presence. She has a sweet voice and it’s very brave to sing and act. She came across perfectly. Later she was joined in her song of woe which reminded me of a Greek Chorus, by Mary the maid (Olivia Geddes). They made a lovely sound together.
The partnership of David Barton and Daniel O’Key works well. They have their physical differences which give their characters a real presence. O’Key works well to look deranged and menacing. My son is a scare actor and he was saying how very close physical proximity is the key to being that ominous. Getting up close and in your face! Mr. Hyde (Daniel) came across as a delightful monster. David Barton had good frenetic energy and his diction was very clear. Graham Millar has a wealth of lines to learn (as did others) and came across as the London detective following all avenues of inquiry, still being hot on the heels of the mystery.
The honesty and loyalty of Gabriel Utterson (Tom Pymer) was a contrast to the ambition and arrogance of Dr Jekyll. Having seen Tom in previous plays running around in farcical settings, it was pleasing to see his range on stage.
All the cast gave it their all and it was an entertaining evening. It was encouraging to see lots of new faces on stage. I hope they continue to go for parts in forthcoming plays.
A mention to Props and Prompt – the people we don’t see. Fortunately we didn’t hear the prompt and the props were all set and struck to the devil of the detail. I do like to see a decanter with drink in it, then being drunk and the decanter empty. Great continuity. I did props for years elsewhere so you know, it’s important to have it right.
