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The Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde For Schools

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For Schools




Our much anticipated 2020 revival of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, filmed in HD at The Wilde Theatre in Bracknell in September, is now available for schools to licence along with a whole series of videos specifically designed to support teachers and students either studying the text as part of an English Literature course, or choosing the production for the live review element for Drama or Performing Arts. Through talks, Q&As and interviews with the director, cast and artistic team, we explore language, form, structure, characters, historical context, performance style, devices and much more.

Doctor Henry Jekyll is a good man. Successful within his field and respected by his peers, he’s close to a neurological discovery that will change the face of medical science forever. However, his methods are less than ethical, and when a close friend and colleague threatens to expose and destroy his work, Jekyll is forced to experiment on himself, whereupon something goes very wrong…or very right. And suddenly Jekyll has a new friend, the brutal Edward Hyde.

A thrilling adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s dark psychological fantasy, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde immerses you in the myth and mystery of 19th century London’s fog-bound streets where love, betrayal and murder lurk at every chilling twist and turn. Gripping, stylish and thought-provoking, this is unmissable theatre. Go on. Treat your dark side!


What's included:

HD, multi-camera recording of the show (BSL/English subtitles available).

Over 2 hours of interviews with the cast, writer/director and artistic team.

Education pack and Digital show programme

“ This is an exceptional production...The adaptation of the play is fascinating for those starting with a strong knowledge of the novella, and as such this is rich fodder for discussion among English and Drama students alike. In the accompanying video interviews, there is plenty of carefully targeted information of direct practical use to students of KS4 or 5 drama courses, while another whole menu of videos are aimed instead at English students ”

Drama & Theatre Magazine - Read the review


Available to Members



Full Show

Recorded at the Wilde Theatre, Bracknell, on 18 September 2020, The Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde is Blackeyed Theatre's acclaimed, fully-staged adaptation of Robert Louis-Stevenson's famous novella, an HD multi-camera capture, recorded in front of a live theatre audience.

Running time: 124 minutes

English subtitles available




Full show (with sign interpretation)

The full production of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde including BSL interpretation by Bruce Cameron. The addition of sign interpretation is thanks to a collaboration with Eastwood Park Theatre in Giffnock.

Running time: 124 minutes



For English Literature



The Characters in Jekyll & Hyde

Blake Kubena (Jekyll/Hyde), Zach Lee (Utterson) and Ashley Sean-Cook (Lanyon) analyse their characters, drawing on evidence from the novella, including a focus on the characters' journeys, motivations, relationships and physical attributes within the context of the era.

Running time: 20 minutes




Themes and Symbols in Jekyll & Hyde

Paige Round discusses the themes and symbols prevalent in the novella with a focus on how they’re presented and why they’re important, with reference to characters, plot and the context of the time. Paige includes examples of where they appear throughout the piece and which themes affect certain characters.

Themes: Scientific Development, Good vs Evil, Duality, Natural/Supernatural, Repression/Reputation/Secrecy, Innocence/Violence, Friendship/Loyalty

Symbols: Mist and Moonlight, Appearance of Evil, Letters and Documents, Religion

Running time: 30 minutes




Form, Style, Language and Historical Context

Adapter and Director, Nick Lane, explores the original novella, including the plot, Stevenson as a writer and his personal life, as well as the historical context for the novella. He also focuses on Form (the writer's use of perspectives, first and third-person narrative and settings), structure and the language Stevenson uses.

Running time: 12 minutes



For Drama / Performing Arts



Character and Performance Analysis

Each cast member explores their character, how they're described in the novella, their views on the society, their relationships with other characters, their purpose in the play and how that fits with the time and style of the piece. They also provide a reviews of their own performance and analyse how well they felt they portrayed the character in certain scenes, referencing specific moments.

Running time: 36 minutes




Director Commentary with Nick Lane

Director Nick Lane shares his vision for the play and what he wanted to capture from the Novella, including a focus on historical context, including views on gender and science, and ideas on style, characters, lighting and set. He also references certain moments, what he wanted to achieve and how successfully he felt he portrayed them through characters, props, set and lighting.

Running time: 22 minutes




Lighting, Costume and Sound

Lighting Designer Claire Childs, Costume Designer Naomi Gibbs and Sound Designer Tristan Parkes analyse their roles and overall contribution to the production, referencing specific moments to explore what they felt worked particularly well and enhanced the performance.

Running time: 21 minutes



Education Pack

Provides creative and cross-curricular activities to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, both for English Literature and Drama. It is designed for Key Stages 3 and 4, but activities can be adapted for other ages.

38 Pages


Show Programme

Check out the original show programme for the 2020 production of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, which includes biographies, articles and director's notes.

18 Pages


Photo credit: Alex Harvey-Brown

“ This is an exceptional production – featuring four excellent performances from the cast of three men and one woman. The adaptation of the play is fascinating for those starting with a strong knowledge of the novella, and as such this is rich fodder for discussion among English and Drama students alike. In the accompanying video interviews with the cast, the adapter/director and the design team (composer/sound designer, lighting designer and costume designer), there is plenty of carefully targeted information of direct practical use to students of KS4 or 5 drama courses, while another whole menu of videos are aimed instead at English students ”

Drama & Theatre Magazine

Read the review

“ I wanted to email and say thank you. We attended the performance of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde yesterday at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and our Year 7 & 8 children took an awful lot from the performance.

They particularly enjoyed discussing your adaptation and the physical theatre skills you all expertly demonstrated. The children found relevance in the language and the character choices made by you all playing multiple parts. They also loved seeing so many excellent drama techniques used professionally. They are all still discussing the songs and the slow motion ending to Act 1 with enthusiasm "

St Andrew's School, Woking

“ We recently visited the Towngate Theatre to watch 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.'  We loved the performance, and many discussion lessons have taken place since to explore all the effective moments we could write about in an exam.  We also found the teacher resource pack incredibly helpful - especially the costume design pictures - what a wonderful bit of insight for us! ”

De La Salle School

“ Our students were buzzing about it during the interval and after the performance - they really enjoyed it and found it very inspiring "

The Kennet School

“ Your production was intense! It gave us so much to talk about and we all thoroughly enjoyed the performances! Please pass on our thanks to the company ”

New College Worcester

“ Thank you for a brilliant performance. I brought 28 students from yr 10 to yr 13 and they all loved it as a piece of theatre but one also commented, 'Thank you, miss, for taking us to see something that has so much to analyse'!  I pass on my thanks to you, as a teacher, for creating such a rich performance for students "

The Brooksbank School

“ Just a quick note to thank you and your company for a brilliant performance of Dr. Jeckyll and Hyde last week at The Towngate Theatre Basildon. Our GCSE Drama students were sat on the first four rows and loved every minute.  Here are some quotes from our students;

' It was a blood curdling and eye-catching experience'

'A spectatcular piece of drama'

'A seat sinking experience'

'The use of body language and characterisation was outstanding'

'Superb set design, sound and lighting to add to the sense of mystery and foreboding'

We thought the acting was superb "

The Sandon School

“ The best educational tool around… I took my students in November 2017 to see Blackeyed Theatre’s production of ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’. The production was of a superb quality, the actors performing in such a way that the students were inspired and could not wait to write about them. In addition to this, the educational tools provided FOR FREE by the company ensured that my students achieved the highest exam results they’ve had in years.  I will never use another theatre company for the live theatre analysis part of the exam again. Thank you for all your help Blackeyed Theatre, can’t wait to see you at your next show "

Emily Williams – The Cowplain School Waterlooville

“ Both the performance and workshop were excellent and engaged the boys at Desborough fully. These events will now form a springboard into live theatre evaluations, devised performances and analysis of text. It was a very successful and productive two days! ”

Desborough School, Maidenhead

“ GCSE Drama went to see 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde' last Wednesday @southhillpark & it was a stunning multi-sensory experience! ”

Hawley Place School

“ #jekyllandhydetour @TheatreRoyalBSE was very good tonight & has achieved the improbable, as my GCSE student son actually wants to read the book now! Thank you #inspiredstudent ”

Audience Member

“ A fantastic production! We took pupils on Tuesday and thoroughly enjoyed it ”

Long Stratton High School

“ Ashley and Paige delivered an excellent practical workshop – the girls were still ‘buzzing’ about it all day yesterday...the production was so atmospheric and the girls could really see how the skills that they looked at on Monday were clearly put into practice on stage...another wonderful theatrical experience and we are looking forward to whatever the production will be next year… ”

St Nicholas School, Fleet

“ Just been to see The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde at the Haymarket with my son who is studying the book for GCSE - we both enjoyed your portrayal of the book. Had us both on the edge of our seats. A captivating performance - thank you ”

Audience Member

 “ What an amazing night!! Just seen Jekyll and Hyde in theatre and in awe! Awesome interpretation and will be so helpful throughout my English Lit GCSE ”

Audience Member

“ The perfect production for students to analyse and evaluate and although in its infancy, the students have made some really insightful comments about the production values ”

George Salter Academy

“A must-see if studying it for GCSE”

Everything Theatre