Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - review and pictures

Such a spine chiller was surely guaranteed to have the audience on the edge of their seats at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre last night.

Yet sadly this David Edgar stage adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic lacked any real horror, pace or tension.

Daniels is the doctor who, using his father’s research notes, is able to metamorphosize into his evil alter ego Mr Hyde. He unleashes a monster who sets out on a rampage of rape, brutality and murder.

As the kindly, child-friendly Dr Jekyll, with a soft Scottish burr, Daniels portrays an obviously troubled character with an air of intrigue and secrecy.

But his transformation into Mr Hyde is slight and mostly consists of a very broad accent presented loudly and with comic delivery not unlike that of Rab C Nesbitt.

He may have been playing for laughs but it felt wrong to hear the audience chortling at times when the character should perhaps have been at his most terrifying.

The adaption to the stage has seen the introduction of a number of female characters and Grace Hogg-Robinson, as feisty servant girl Annie, is a highlight.

Heavy dialogue focusing on a psychological analysis of evil within man as well as the scene-setting narration slows down the action. While the simple set is put to use well for the many scene changes required, it is a very dark production.

There is no doubt that this is a wonderful, mind-blowing tale that was clearly ahead of its time. Quadrophenia star Phil Daniels is well established as a very talented actor with some iconic roles under his belt. This was not one of them.

The second half is faster paced than the first but never quite lives up to its potential.

Runs at the theatre until Saturday.