TNT Theatre Britain presents:

DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE

written by Robert Louis Stevenson

directed by Paul Stebbings

Only very seldom does a novel have such impact that it transcends fiction and becomes myth. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is one of that select company. The novel is a gripping thriller, a horror story, a tragedy and above all an exploration of the split personality that we surely all feel lies within us, and with this the choice between good and evil.

The tale is dramatised with the unique theatrical style, combining dynamic physical theatre with a film like score and draw on the style of Victorian melodrama, detective thrillers and silent film to create an exciting and accessible piece of theatre that will reveal the dark heart of this extraordinary novel.

"He put the glass to his lips, and drank at one gulp. A cry followed; he reeled, staggered, clutched at the table and held on, staring with injected eyes, gasping with open mouth;—he seemed to swell-his face became suddenly black and the features began to melt and alter - "O God!" I screamed, and "O God!" again and again; for there before my eyes— pale and shaken, and half fainting, and groping before him with his hands, like a man restored from death - there stood Henry Jekyll !"

This is a new version of the successful TNT production which toured Europe a decade ago, developed and expanded with songs and above all a new female character, the detective-like Abigail Utterson, with which we seek to explore the deeper themes of Stevenson's masterpiece. The production is created by Paul Stebbings whose work has been seen worldwide and won numerous awards. This is popular theatre of the highest quality, created by "the world's most popular touring theatre company" China National TV

Expected duration: 90 min + 15 min. interval, total 1:45 hours

Setting: Victorian London

Dr Henry Jekyll A doctor of medicine who has given up his practice in the poorer areas of London to study advanced science. He is fascinated by the nature of evil and is attempting to separate his dual personality into two people: his better side of Dr Jekyll and his evil side as Mr Hyde. He hopes by doing so to be left only with his better self but he loses control of his evil self and also his science begins to fail and he is unable to control when he is one and when he is the other.

Mr Hyde The embodiment of evil, mixed with a shar intelligence. He not only commits evil acts he “evangelises” evil, believing that all people are essentially evil but simply hide their sins under a mask of hypocrisy. In our production he engages with the audience as biased narrator, forcing us all to confront his ideas and ask questions about our own grip on morality

Miss Utterson An independent and forceful young Victorian woman, who has a job as a typist at a legal oNice. She once had a love aNair with Dr Jekyll, but he rejected or betrayed her. She still cares for Dr Jekyll but hides her feelings under a strong and stone like exterior. When asked by her employer to type out Dr Jekyll’s last will and testament in favour of the dreadful Mr Hyde, she becomes a type of detective – determined to solve the mystery and save her beloved Doctor – without compromising her principles.

Sir Danvers A respectable lawyer with his own London legal firm. He employs Miss Utterson and is rather amazed at the changes in the modern world that bring steam engines, typewriters and independent women into his life and work. He is kind but old fashioned. He is brutally murdered by My Hyde.

Poole Dr Jekyll’s old and faithful servant. He must live alone in Dr Jekyll’s Gothic house that is increasingly dominated by Mr Hyde. He has no idea the two men are the same. He admires Mss Utterson, knowing her from the days she was engaged to Dr Jekyll, and tries to help her when he can. But as a servant he is not strong enough.

THE CAST:

Simone Mumford as Abigail Utterson
is a multilingual English/Russian actor based between Paris and London. She graduated from L’École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in 2023, where she engaged in daily improvisation and devised over fifty pieces oftheatre. Between 2023 and 2024, Simonecollaborated with over five theatre companies, performing roles such as Nina in a French adaptation of THE SEAGULL, to multi-rolling in THE DIRTY DOZEN, an original comedy, and LES RENCONTRES DE L’OGRE, a collaborative festival created by Lecoq alumni.
Her other credits include EAST (Les), CLOSER (Anna), THE RIVALS (Julia), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Titania), and WOMEN OF TROY (Hecuba). Simone thrives on the challenges and energy of physical theatre and is thrilled to join TNT Theatre for the first time.

Jean-Paul Pfluger as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
has worked with the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, performed on Broadway for His Royal Highness Prince Edward and sang for Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber at the Royal Albert Hall. Directed by David Oyelowo in The White Devil he then went on to play Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet for the RSC. His roles include: Mr Juno OVERRULED, Matt LEGAL WEAPON, Mark KENNEDY’S CHILDREN, Luke EAST ANGLIAN PSYCHOS, Don John MUCH ADO, Lovewell HUSH, Lodovico WHITE DEVIL, Jesus Christ CALVARY, Will ECHOS & SHADOWS, Antonio MERCHANT OF VENICE, Balthazar MELCHIOR’S QUEST, Petruchio TAMING OF THE SHREW, Berowne LOVE’S LABOURS LOST, The Dauphin HENRY V, Elvis Presley THE KING OF ROCK, The Giant THE SELFISH GIANT, Griselda CINDERELLA, Dr Caius MERRY WIFE’S OF WINDSOR, Mercutio ROMEO & JULIET, Ben Ross THE WAVE, Kindred Rose OWLERS, Bassanio MERCHANT OF VENICE, Sebastian THE TEMPEST, The Monster FRANKENSTEIN, Captain Beatty FAHRENHEIT 451, Illiam Dhone THE GHOST OF ILLIAM DHONE, Malvolio TWELFTH NIGHT, Orsino/Maria TWELFTH NIGHT, Iago OTHELLO, Callum O’Reilly THE LEGITIMATE PEAKY BLINDERS, White Rabbit/Mad Hatter/Queen of Hearts ALICE IN WONDERLAND. He has also enjoyed directing various productions, most recently THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST. He is very grateful to be invited back to TNT to work with Paul Stebbings on this production of JEKYLL & HYDE.

Sylas Shaw as Sir Danvers
is an actor and comedian with Transylvanian roots. He has been professionally active since 2019 and has been fortunate to perform with some of the best talent going. Whether playing opposite Mark Bonnar and Bill Paterson in GUILT S1 or Tchéky Karyo and Fiona Shaw in BAPTISTE S2 he is always learning. Furthermore, he has also written and performed two full hour comedy shows: THEY SAID THERE WOULD BE JOBS and SYLAS BUT DEADLY.
He is of Hungarian descent but grew up in the mythical land of Transylvania, Romania, something he mentions regularly. He now lives in the equally mythical land of Scotland, telling stories, writing jokes and avoiding the infamous midgies. He is passionate about exploring the mess of the human experience through complex and layered characters while also having a cheeky laugh. For fun he enjoys the outdoors, a rowdy concert and a good boogie.