Theatre-Hikes Colorado
Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver, CO
October 4-27, 2013
After a fun show this summer, I was interested to see how Theatre-Hikes Colorado handled a classic monster story. October seems like the perfect time for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
We chose to see a performance at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The show started in the evening, half an hour after the gardens close to the public. As the sun set, the weather turned cooler and the empty gardens were a bit spooky.
As we walked from scene to scene, we had a guide and a flute player leading us. This version of the classic Robert Louis Stevenson story was adapted assuming the audience knew the story already. From the beginning, Mr. Hyde is hovering around, watching everything and laughing menacingly. Dr. Jekyll, played by another actor, seems unaware of him most of the time. There are a few confrontations between the two.
The story plays out as a mystery as the character try to figure out who this Mr. Hyde is and what his control is over Dr. Jekyll. And of course, in the end is tragedy.
The brightest spot in the show is the portrayal of Mary Reilly, Dr. Jekyll frightened and very funny maid. Her antics keep the story from getting too heavy. And when you are in a deserted garden, that is a good thing.
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