"Jekyll & Hyde" by Evan Placey after R L Stevenson.

Nottingham Lace Market Theatre

Don't be misled into thinking that this is the Robert Louis Stevenson version of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, the Gothic novel that we know and love, because this is something slightly different. And I'd hate for you to miss out on this particular piece of theatre!

Evan Placey has re-imagined the story and placed Mrs Jekyll, wife of the now deceased Dr Jekyll, at the centre of the story. Mrs Jekyll is carrying on the work of her late husband, brought about by the way that she is treated and seen by men, and has created her alter-ego of the seedy Mrs Flossie Hyde.

Hyde starts to frequent the seedy Fox and Hounds public house/bordello after visiting the theatre on her own and being invited to the den of ill repute by one of the actors from the theatre. She sees the dark side of life, and chooses to become part of it, and then takes that step further.....

The play shines a light on how women from the Victorian period were treated and looked upon by society, and compares that stance with the way that women are addressed today showing that we have moved on in our attitudes, but just how much? A well-timed piece of theatre as Tuesday is International Women's Day.

What this play also shows are the similarities between today's woman and the issues that women today have to face, via outlets like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok etc and makes comparisons with Victorian womankind and how they are expected to behave by menfolk.

Act Two shines a different light on the comparisons with Florence, a modern-day blogger and Harriet, which is clever, as well as just a little disturbing. Just who is controlling who?

I will admit that, at times it is a bit confusing where the lines between the two periods are blurred by modern technology overspilling into the Victorian age. There are several layers to this play which after dissecting the action in my mind after the play ended, did start to fall into place. If nothing else it shows how far attitudes have advanced, what needs to happen, and creates discussion.

There is almost no attempt in the script to differentiate between the respected Mrs Jekyll and the sleazy, murderous Lady Hyde apart from a pair of red fingerless gloves, a hitch of the skirt and her hair let down. It allowed me a smile when her policeman friend, Gabriel, who she had known all her life feigned any kind of recollection, especially as he had visited the public house and was seduced by Lady Hyde. It's like when nobody recognises Batman when he puts the mask over his eyes.

There is quite a bit of comedy within the play, not only within the script but visual, as part of the projection design, so keep an eye on that as well as listening to the actors.

I'm not sure if it was me as well, but some of the actors seemed not to gel with their characters and/or got under the skin of the characters, and some of the script did not flow naturally with them. This could be the way the play has been written.

Talking of which, in the scene where Florence is being interrogated in Act Two, the script called for the woman police officer to say "F You". Now I would have thought that the character would have said the actual word and not "F" You. This would have kept in line with the grittiness and realism of modern-day police interrogation. That is if we are to believe what we see on TV in shows like "Line Of Duty". Maybe the script was written like this to be polite or maybe profanities of this strength were changed to protect the ears of the audience.

You may think that I didn't enjoy this production, but you'd be wrong. I found it a very interesting piece of theatre, especially with the comparisons between the two different generations. Different they may have been but very similar in the subject matter and attitude.

The cast for this production were as follows...

Emily Shillan (Harriet Jekyll / Flossie Hyde), Luke Willis (Gabriel John Utterson), Clare Moss (Florence), Sara Tehrani (Gertrude / Georgie), Evie Wakefield (Abbie / DC Williams / Martha / Millie), Rosemary Alogba (Ida / Izzy), Emma Carlton (Sally / Lucy / Josephine), Reiss Jones (DCI Renford), Ian Kingsbury (Officer Rose / Johnny / Doctor Finn), Richard Whitehorn (Doctor Lanyon), Sam Howitt (Tommy / Paperboy), Max Bromley (Judge Richard Enfield / Tennyson), John Anthony (Priest / Doctor Maxwell), Joe Stanway (Officer Ray / Ensemble) and Sofia Bell (Ensemble).

I loved the bawdiness of the Fox and Hounds' host as well as emergence of the characters of Jekyll/Hyde and Florence's transformation right at the end of the play. Max as Enfield also made me smile, especially with his scenes with Sam Howitt. I'll not say why as I wouldn't want to spoil it for you, but how both kept a straight face, I'll never know.

Directed by Beverley Anthony, she utilised the whole of the stage as well as the auditorium and kept everything pacy, balancing the comedy and more shocking scenes perfectly. I liked the way the switch from the Church scene where the congregation were singing Come All Ye Faithful direct to the public house scene by segueing into "Come and make eyes at me, down at the old Bull and Bush". Smooth!

Lighting Design by Allan Green, split the set with partial blackout to allow focus on where we should be concentrating on, making it easier to switch between modern day and Victorian scenes.

Sound Design by Aaron Connolly, pitched everything just right and created a nice full sound, especially in the church scene.

Projection Design by Gareth Morris, with a screen to split the various chapters as well as depict the modern-day tech on most mobiles nowadays.

The set was split into three different areas comprising of the Jekyll residence, complete with a window to the Jekyll lab, the police interview room and the Fox and Hounds section. This area was also used for various other scenes throughout, including the Women's Rights rally section. Very well thought out and constructed set.

The play is a real conversation piece and will stay with you after the virtual curtain comes down on the performance. And by the looks of it, the show is selling really well, so you may need to get online to get your tickets ordered, to make sure that you get a seat.

"Jekyll & Hyde" is at the Nottingham Lace Market Theatre until, Saturday 12 March.