In JD Henshaw's retelling of the classic story of Jekyll and Hyde, the medium of solo performance is used to highlight the inner struggle between good and evil.
The piece follows the same basic plot as the novella by Robert Louis Stevenson. However, the script forgoes the Gabriel John Utterson character and focuses on the main character, who speaks directly to the audience. This character recounts their violence and the murders they are committing. While Hyde tells the audience of crime, Jekyll is concerned with the fall out of said crimes. Jekyll attempts to educate Hyde to subvert his aggressive manner. In the end, all attempts to fuse the two separate selves together are rendered moot and Hyde takes hold.
Heather Rose Andrews gives a skillful performance as the titular lead. The part requires total emotional capacity from Andrews and she delivers. The suffering of Jekyll and the devilish delight of Hyde are both believable and given equal weight. Her physical embodiment of the split personality is impeccable. The shift in her body between the two characters makes it so the audience always knows which self Andrews is speaking as in the moment. In addition, there are many moments in the play where we watch the physical transformation from one to another. Andrews captures the science fiction horror of the story in these moments, committing to the painful bodily transformation scenes. We watch the actor writhe and scream in pain, convulsing, limbs twisting of their own accord. These sequences are at once hard to watch and impossible to look away from, truly the most disturbing part of the show.
This show interestingly breaks open an old story using the genre of a one woman show.
The script focuses less on the source material's plot and more on the interpersonal conflict brought about by the split personalities. The story provides a deep well to draw from in this respect. The horror of confronting what you are truly capable of with the guilt of facing who you are and what you have done is present throughout the show. However, I wished for a bit more plot as I struggled to follow the story of what was occurring off-stage between scenes. Perhaps it would have been interesting to watch some of this plot occur. To see the violence play out instead of hearing Hyde retell it. Additionally, the transitions occurred in darkness and often felt long, which caused the story's momentum to drop after every scene and had to be rebuilt again with the next. It took me out of the story to sit in dark silence for so long between scenes. If the transitions happened quicker, in the light, or were used stylistically to further the storytelling, this problem could be solved.
Fans of the source material would surely love this new investigation into the inner life of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. While I had qualms with the plot and structure, the show is memorable and well done.
“Jekyll & Hyde”
Performed by Heather-Rose Andrews
Written and Directed by JD Henshaw
January - February 24, 2024
SoHo Playhouse (15 Vandam St. NYC)
Carmen! is a trans-multimedia artist specializing in playwriting, acting and crochet. Originally from Jacksonville Beach, Florida, they are currently based in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, returning to their Atlantic Oceanic roots. Their play Taking the Plunge has been performed at the Tank and the Chain off-Broadway and in the 2023 Fresh Fruit Festival slated this June. Carmen has also worked in front-of-house and technical positions for prominent theater organizations including New Dramatists, Portland Playhouse, Emursive and Future Proof. Carmen’s mission is to use play to create meaningful representation by and for underrepresented communities. For more information on Carmen! Follow them on socials @carmenacetosociety or check out www.carmenburbridge.info
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