Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher
On the fog-bound streets of Victorian-era London, Henry Jekyll’s experiments with exotic “powders and tinctures” have brought forth his other self: Edward Hyde, a sensualist and villain free to commit the sins Jekyll is too civilized to comprehend. When the dastardly Hyde meets a woman who stirs his interest, Jekyll fears for her life and decides to end his experiments—but Hyde has other ideas. The two sides battle each other in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse to determine who shall be the master and who his slave.
Casting Breakdown:
The play is designed to be performed by six actors. Except for the actor playing DR. JEKYLL, each actor will play multiple characters, with four of them (3 male, 1 female) playing different versions of MR. HYDE in different scenes. All roles may be played by actors of any ethnicity, but please be conscious of the gender identity stipulations. All actors, except that of the actor portraying Dr. Henry Jekyll, will take on multiple roles, with 4 of the actors playing versions of Edward Hyde amongst others.
This is a physically demanding production and most performers will need to be able to switch characters seamlessly, sometimes on stage mid-scene.
- Dr. Henry Jekyll: Late 20s-50s, male-identifying. A brilliant, educated and highly ethical man. Seeks to control both humanity’s and his own dark desires.
- Elizabeth Jelkes: 20s-30s, female-identifying. Also plays 2 minor characters.
- ELISABETH JELKES is the sister of the LITTLE GIRL and becomes the object of MR. HYDE’s “affections”
- two minor characters: WOMAN 1 and OLD WOMAN
- Hyde 1 (Hyde, Gabriel Utterson, Surgical Student 2): 20s-50s, open to any gender identity or presentation.
- EDWARD HYDE 1 represents one facet of JEKYLL’s darker side
- GABRIEL UTTERSON is a reputable and trustworthy lawyer and close friend of DR. JEKYLL. A keen observer troubled by the appearance of Hyde but is devoted to reasonable explanations over the possibility of the supernatural.
- minor character: SURGICAL STUDENT 2
- Hyde 2 (Hyde, Sir Danvers Carew, O. F. Sanderson, Richard Enfield, Inspector): Late 20s-50s, open to any gender identity or presentation.
- EDWARD HYDE 2 is another interpretation of the dark alter ego of DR. JEKYLL, often interacting with other characters
- SIR DANVERS CAREW is a surgical doctor (corrupt, sadistic man who is Jekyll’s professional foe) who is fascinated by human corpses and is the innocent murder victim of MR. HYDE
- RICHARD ENFIELD is a respectable gentleman who first witnesses HYDE’s cruel behaviour. Reserved, formal, and scornful of gossip.
- O.F. SANDERSON is the private detective tasked with uncovering the truth behind SIR DANVERS CAREW’s murder
- The INSPECTOR oversees investigating the murder of SIR DANVERS CAREW
- minor character: MAN 2
- Hyde 3 (Hyde, Dr. H. K. Lanyon, Surgical Student 1, Hotel Porter,): 30-50s, male-identifying, physically imposing.
- EDWARD HYDE 3 is the dark alter ego of DR. JEKYLL that engages most closely with ELIZABETH and also plots against DR. JEKYLL
- DR. H.K. LANYON is a respected scientist and a former close friend of DR. JEKYLL, with an exuberant laugh who serves as a foil for Jekyll
- The POLICE DOCTOR is involved in the investigation of the murder
- SURGICAL STUDENT 1 is SIR DANVERS CAREW’s assistant
- two minor characters: MAN 3, DRUNKARD
- Hyde 4 (Hyde, Poole, Student, Police Doctor, Prostitute, Maid, Old Woman): Late 20s-50s, female-identifying.
- EDWARD HYDE 4 is a female version of the dark alter ego of DR. JEKYLL
- POOLE is a kind and devoted servant to DR. JEKYLL
- SURGICAL STUDENT 2 is SIR DANVERS CAREW’s assistant
- four minor characters: WOMAN 2, LITTLE GIRL, HOTEL PORTER and MAID
Preparation for the Audition
Prepare 2 x one-minute monologues of your own choice, preferably completely different. You do not need to prepare a monologue from the play.
Be prepared to read / perform scenes on the day
Dates and Availability
Rehearsals: Rehearsals will initially be held twice weekly. Weekend rehearsals will be included further into the rehearsal period. The detailed rehearsal schedule will be created after the casting and you will be expected to attend all the rehearsals for your role.
- Production Dates: You must be available on the move-in, dress rehearsals and production dates:
- Move-in day: Sunday, 3 August 2025
- Final Tech Rehearsals: Sunday, 10 August 2025
- Final Dress Rehearsal: Tuesday, 12 August 2025
- Production run - 1st week: Thursday 14 to Saturday 23 August 2025 (8 shows)
PLEASE NOTE: As The Playhouse Theatre is a non-profit community theatre, no remuneration is offered.