YEOVIL NEWS: Serial killer on loose on trading estate (sort of)

ONLOOKERS could only sit and watch as a crazed serial killer went on the loose on the Pen Mill Trading Estate in Yeovil this afternoon (Sunday, September 14, 2014).

Witnesses said they had lost count the number of people who were killed in a two-hour spree at Edwards House in Buckland   Road – home of the Yeovil Amateur Operatic Society.

Fortunately, however, these “deaths” were not for real – but just all part of a rehearsal in readiness for the society’s forthcoming production of Jekyll & Hyde which is to be staged at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil from October 7-11, 2014.

PHOTO - TOP: Luke Whitchurch (Jekyll & Hyde) with Naomi Riglar (Emma Carew).

The dark and haunting stage musical is a thriller based on the novel The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.

The show is being directed and choreographed by Jeremy Tustin with Kat Stevens as musical director – and is a huge contrast to the society’s recent line-up of productions such as Sister Act, Guys and Dolls, Me and My Girl, Half a Sixpence and South Pacific.

The Yeovil Press was invited along to today’s rehearsal to see how the cast was gearing up for its run at the Octagon next month.

And – wow! Make sure you don’t miss out on the show; if today’s rehearsal was anything to go by, the audience is in for a real spine-chilling shock.

The key dual-role of Dr Jekyll and the murderous Mr Hyde is being played by Luke Whitchurch.

PHOTOS - ABOVE AND RIGHT: Cast members in rehearsal today.

While his Mr Hyde role creates havoc in the underworld of bawdy and illicit night-time activities in 19th century Camden Town, Luke gets into the “zone” so much that his rehearsing is causing havoc of its own at the society’s Edwards House with his violent and intimidating exuberance.

Just ask Jennifer Holland-Brewer who becomes one of his “victims” as Lucy Harris, the main attraction at The Red Rat, a rather seedy drinking establishment in Camden.

While Jennifer will play Mr Hyde’s main “love interest” as Lucy, it is Naomi Riglar who takes the role of Emma Carew  and due to marry Dr Jekyll until a rather gruesome conclusion.

Although today was just a rehearsal and with a little fine tuning still to be made, already it looks as if this production is going to be a massive success at the Octagon - and that is based on what the Yeovil Press saw in the bare bones environment with there being no scenery or props to speak of and with the cast wearing their "civilian" clothes.

But when you go to the Octagon to see the show just make sure you take a pillow to hide behind and with plenty of guts and gore, it probably is not recommended viewing for young children!

Tickets are on sale from the Octagon box office on 01935-422884. Tickets for the opening night on Tuesday, October 7, 2014, and the matinee show on Saturday, October 11, 2014, are priced £14. It will cost £17 per person for all other performances.

Each evening performance starts at 7.30pm, while the Saturday matinee will begin at 2.30pm.

PHOTOS: Shaun Driver (above left) as John Utterson; and Luke Whitchurch (above right) as Jekyll & Hide.

PHOTOS - ABOVE: Cast members from Jekyll and Hyde in rehearsal.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Mark Rudd as the  Bishop and Naomi Riglar as Emma Carew.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Some of the Red Rat girls.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Red Rat girls doing their stuff.

PHOTOS - ABOVE: Luke Whitchurch as the crazed Mr Hyde, along with Jennifer Holland-Brewer as Lucy Harris.

PHOTOS - ABOVE: A dramatic moment during the Jekyll and Hyde show.

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