BALLARAT Lyric Theatre are in their final week of rehearsals before the premiere of Jekyll and Hyde the musical next Thursday, February 28 at the Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts.<\/p>\n
The cast of over 40 amateur performers have volunteered their time, producing a professional standard show for Ballarat audiences.<\/p>\n
Jekyll and Hyde is based on Robert Louis Stevenson\u2019s gothic Victorian novella, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, and follows an epic struggle between good and evil.<\/p>\n
The story follows physician, Dr Jekyll, as he tries to cure his father\u2019s mental illness, but in the process, develops his own alternate evil and murderous personality, Mr. Hyde.<\/p>\n
The cast began rehearsing the dramatic musical in September last year, and have been getting used to their mesmerising transformative set since November.<\/p>\n
BLT\u2019s president, Michael Whitehead said the story, set in 1880s London, was adapted for the stage in the 1990s. It has been performed on Broadway and the West End to rave reviews.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was never brought out here,\u201d he said. \u201cA lot of people know the individual pieces of music but don\u2019t realise it comes from here. The music is very melodic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Audiences will no doubt recognise iconic piece, This is the Moment, made famous by Anthony Warlow. The song will be sung by Dylan Shalless, who is performing the chilling role of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.<\/p>\n
To play essentially two roles at once has not been easy for him, but he said the experience has been amazing.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou get to be the good guy and the bad guy in your own story,\u201d Mr Shalless said. \u201cIt\u2019s an incredibly complex challenge and requires a lot of work and commitment, but it\u2019s also very rewarding and exciting. You don\u2019t really get to do that as a performer.\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u2019s looking forward to the audience seeing the cast\u2019s efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love sinking my teeth into becoming another character, but I also love being able to bring the entertainment to stage,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen you enjoy it, that\u2019s what the audience enjoys.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you can really thrill them with the highs and chill them with the darker moments\u2026 You can get a rapturous applause or hear an absolute pin drop because everyone is just so shocked or terrified.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an incomparable feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are 17 musicians in the show\u2019s orchestra and at least 100 people behind the scenes are supporting the performers, helping with sets, painting, costumes, hair and makeup, fount of house, stage management and more.<\/p>\n
Assistant director and choreographer, Kat Armati is pleased by how the show is running.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s looking really good. It\u2019s all come together in a heartbeat,\u201d she said. \u201cIt really is that mix of Les Mis and Phantom. That darkness that both of them hold, it\u2019s a very similar feel of show. The music is truly spectacular and I really encourage people to come and see it. It\u2019s one that I think people will truly enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The show will run until 10 March. Times and tickets are available at wcpa.com.au\/events.aspx. Adult tickets are $50 and concession $45.<\/p>\n
Parental guidance is recommended for children under 16 years of age.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BALLARAT Lyric Theatre are in their final week of rehearsals before the premiere of Jekyll and Hyde the musical next Thursday, February 28 at the Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts. The cast of over 40 amateur performers have volunteered their time, producing a professional standard show for Ballarat audiences. Jekyll and Hyde is based on […]<\/p>\n