Resource review: Blackeyed Theatre Schools HUB – The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde

Blackeyed Theatre has been touring excellent work for twelve years, and while it is by no means solely an educational theatre company, there are extensive education programmes accompanying every production the company makes – with the choice of plays staged also suiting an education market extremely well: such works as Jane Eyre, Frankenstein, Teechers and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde.

The company's latest initiative, born out of lockdown, is the Schools Hub: a subscription package available for schools, with licenses running from July-July in keeping with the academic year. Schools and colleges can sign up for access to the whole ‘Hub’ (£490 +VAT) –incorporating for 2021/22 Teechers,The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde,Oh What a Lovely War, Jane Eyre, The Signal-man and Sherlock Holmes:The Sign of Four – or just for a single play, for varying prices.

Each play's section includes a full streamed recording of the show – including in some cases a sign-language interpreted version and/or audio description – as well as filmed interviews with the cast, directors and writers, and designers; a digital version of the original theatre programme; and an education pack. In some cases this content is more complete than others at present – with material ‘coming soon’ for The Signal-man, for example. I chose to focus my explorations on The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde.

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.

The education pack is 40 pages long and incorporates notes on the adaptation, character notes and synopsis; as well as production notes about direction, casting and design, before moving on to practical exercises. The classroom exercises are in some ways best suited to English classes, but could be utilised for drama as well. Practical devising, character and monologue exercises then get students up on their feet, and very useful notes are offered for Live Theatre Evaluation.

This web-resource has been well thought out in order to be of the most practical value to teachers, and admirably makes the productions available to a wider audience of young people.

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde is touring live until late May 2022. See Blackeyed Theatre's website for information on dates and venues.

https://blackeyedtheatre.co.uk/shows-2/online-for-schools/