Muchmuchmore Theatre are returning to the Edinburgh Fringe this year with a twist on the traditional Jekyll and Hyde story – featuring female protagonists and a young, vibrant cast. Show director Adele Leach tells us more.
“Everyone has another face they hide behind… A radical re-imagining of Stevenson’s classic tale, where Victorian morality and modern feminist issues collide. This adaptation begins with Dr Jekyll’s wife, Harriet, continuing his work and exploring the duality of the soul – but her transformation is not all it seems. With powerful links between past and present, this gripping ensemble piece explores the timely question of how social change can be won, and at what cost. And crucially, do we all have a Hyde inside us?”
Where: Venue 45 at theSpace @ Venue 45
When: 17-22 Aug
Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/jekyll-and-hyde
What can you tell us about your show? What is it about and where did the idea come from?
This reimagining is by Evan Placey, who was inspired by the original ‘good and evil inside all of us’ notion from the original story, but wanted to make this more relevant to modern day, and in particular to young people. When he read Stevenson’s work again, he was struck by the lack of female characters and perspectives, and this became the focus of his new play. At the heart of the play is the idea that in modern culture, technology gives everyone a face they can hide behind. Our show focuses on this duality through using screens and phones, and also making some of the modern-day references in Act 1 more explicit.
How would you sell it to audiences in one paragraph?
It’s important that this play isn’t seen as a retelling or an adaptation of the original – thematically it tightly links to the novel, but the gender flip makes it an entirely different narrative. It’s dark, physical, and a powerful exploration of the contrast between how we’re viewed and who we are. We have a large ensemble that is used to creatively explore this idea of duality – many of our cast are off to top drama schools in September, so this is a great chance to see potential future stars!
Do you enjoy participating in the Fringe? And do you have any moments you particularly remember?
Our company has performed at the Fringe many times over the years, but as a director, this is only my second show. Two years ago we came up with Lord of the Flies and had a brilliant run. I think something that will stick with me was getting the train every morning in costume and our special effects makeup horrifying people – they looked like they were in school uniform, then someone would turn around and another passenger would gasp at their quite lifelike gashes on their face!
What are you looking forward to the most in Edinburgh?
We’re performing at Space Venue 45, and what is brilliant about Space is the opportunities to go and watch shows for free at other Space venues. They foster brilliant relationships between casts, and it is such a supportive environment, and excellent to be able to go and see so many diverse productions and meet like-minded creatives. Oh, that and haggis. I love haggis.
What’s next for the show?
We have already done a run of the show, so the Fringe shows will be our last ones. In September, many of the cast are moving on, and we’ll start all over again!