I have a confession before I write this review… I am a complete wimp.

I am that person who hides behind the cushion in front of the TV and always refuses to watch horror films. So it’s safe to say I was a little apprehensive seeing Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford.

Before last night, I knew very little about the Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic having never studied it at school other than the basics - a gothic tale of a man with a split personality.

The story follows Doctor Jekyll, a medical genius seeking to go beyond what others before him have achieved by exploring the complexity of the human mind, inspired by his later father’s notebooks.

In a secret experiment, hidden away for long periods of time in his laboratory, Jekyll manages to split his persona in half, in which the murderous and fear-inciting Mr Hyde manifests himself. He can only be controlled by a powerful drug, which makes Hyde grow stronger with every twisted and terrifying transition.

Directed by Kate Saxon, as a whole, this touring production took me by surprise. It didn’t provide the jump scares I had anticipated, but served to be an incredibly thought provoking piece of theatre for Tuesday night.

The title role was played by Phil Daniels, famous for his roles in Eastenders and the 1979 film Quadrophenia. His portrayal of the role - or should I say roles - was captivating. It takes a true stage talent to convincingly contort into a new body language on stage. I was also mesmerised by his Scottish accents, playing Jekyll as a compassionate, well-spoken Edinburgh doctor and Hyde as a rough and uncaring Glaswegian.

The lighting and set design also lend themselves well to the production, helping to build and release moments of tension and horror. The use of candles on stage also helped in creating a true Victorian feel in the auditorium.

Daniel’s supporting cast were also strong. Rosie Abraham was particularly impressive with her chilling singing voice used to build anticipation and dread during scene changes.

But the thing that caught my eye the most was the sheer volume of students sat in the theatre studying the play and story for their exams. It made me question why the tale is still so relevant today. I concluded that just like Jekyll, in the age of social media and a mental health crisis, we are still trying to work out the complexity of the human mind and who we truly are, or could be.

DETAILS

Jekyll & Hyde is at the Orchard Theatre from Tuesday, March 13 to Saturday, March 17. For tickets and times visit orchardtheatre.co.uk or call 01322 220000.