A chilling night at the theatre awaits Cheltenham audiences this Halloween, as Grove Productions opens its new adaptation of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde at The Parabola Arts Centre from 28th October to 1st November.
The locally rooted theatre company is launching its South West tour here in town, bringing a fresh, fast-paced take on Robert Louis Stevenson’s iconic tale of duality and darkness. With the foggy streets of Victorian London recreated on stage, the production promises suspense, mystery and moments that will leave you breathless.
The show is directed by Paul Avery and adapted by University of Gloucestershire graduate Joy-Amy Wigman, who has crafted a version that remains faithful to Stevenson’s gothic source while injecting modern theatrical energy. Through the eyes of lawyer Gabriel Utterson, the audience is drawn into a sinister web surrounding the respectable Dr Henry Jekyll and the violent, elusive Mr Edward Hyde. Questions swirl: Who is Hyde? Why would Jekyll protect him? And what terrible truth binds them together?
What makes this production especially exciting for local theatre-goers is the cast. This is a Gloucestershire-based ensemble with serious talent, including Moa Myerson, Stephen Santouris, Lucy Wordsworth, Corinna McDermott, Joy-Amy Wigman, Joseph Harradine, Alex Lake and Lauren Holland. The fight scenes, designed by choreographer Lucy Wordsworth, promise heart-racing physicality, with elegant staging and razor-sharp performances driving the story forward.
The production is also attracting attention from educators. As Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde is a set text for GCSE English Literature, the show is being promoted as a must-see for students. With clear storytelling, faithful adaptation, and an atmospheric setting, it’s an ideal opportunity to see the novel brought vividly to life. Schools performances are available on request.
Following its Cheltenham run, the show will tour to Weston-super-Mare (Blakehay Theatre, 13–14 November), Gloucester (St Mary de Crypt, 19–21 November), and Evesham (The Henrician, 29 November). All performances begin at 7:30 PM and the running time is around 2 hours 20 minutes, including an interval. The show is recommended for audiences aged 14 and up due to its mature themes and intense scenes.
Tickets for Cheltenham and Weston dates are available at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk, while Gloucester and Evesham tickets can be booked via https://linktr.ee/GROVEPRODUCTIONSTHEATRE or directly at https://www.henrician.org/events/dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde.
More information is available at https://www.groveproductions.org. For interviews and press queries, contact [email protected] or call 07583 123852. General enquiries can be directed to [email protected] or 01242 256089.
With Halloween in the air and a gripping gothic thriller on stage, Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde at The Parabola Arts Centre offers a hauntingly brilliant night out. It’s live local theatre at its most electrifying.