Review: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde By Brian Kirst. Photo by Coye Vega.
Performances: Saturdays – 2 PM, 8PM; Mondays – 7PM through December 20th
Bailiwick Arts Center – 1229 W. Belmont, Chicago, IL
Reservations – 773-655-7325
All performances are free.
Utilizing a seemingly punk influenced Commedia style, the Bricklayers Theatre presents an amusing, occasionally truly chilling take on The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. With almost clown-like masks, thick pancake make-up and audience involving antics, the Bricklayers take viewers into another world for nearly an hour.
In Frederic Fort’s winning adaptation, accountant Mr. Utterson (an engaging, dramatically mobile Matt Peterson) investigates the mystery behind his client, the benevolent Dr. Jekyll and his sudden, violent ‘house guest’ Mr. Hyde. With Weillian musical themes (courtesy of David Bon and Matt Trucano) and the brilliant garbage pan soundscape provided by djAppel, this production ultimately takes us into the twittering heart of madness and the dirty, back streets of London by splendid noise alone.
Female cast members Tabitha Noble and Kyle Cadotte truly connect with humor, energy and wicked timing. Trucano’s amazing commitment and energy is also contrasted brilliantly by Patrick Goulding’s truly terrifying Hyde. A scene involving a confrontation between the surprised and suddenly timid Utterson and the angry Hyde, spewing with a crippling hatred, is one of the most suspenseful, anguishing moments perhaps ever captured on stage.
The Bricklayers, whom have studied extensively with the distinguished Collectif Masque (a highlight for many of the company members and one of the most challenging aspects of the production), also plan many more genre influenced surprises in the future. Trucano explains that their medium of expression (involving intense mask work) lends itself to fantastical measures such as science fiction and horror. Indeed, the engaging, talented Cadotte is currently working on an adaptation of sexy, violent Grimm Fairy Tales that should prove to be a scintillating and exciting future venture.
As for the present, this inventive company’s gift of this Robert Louis Stevenson classic is a truly haunting and thoroughly delightful holiday gift and should be embraced by lucky audiences city-wide.
