Fresh take on classic theatre production

The most recent presentation to be seen at Pitlochry Festival Theatre this summer is a new version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s wellknown story ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.’

While maintaining the original storyline – first published in 1886 – playwright Hannah Lavery presents the series of events through the eyes of a woman in Dr Jekyll’s household.

Stevenson’s original story was very much orientated around the various male characters but relating the story through the female interpretation doesn’t change any of the gruesome goings on.

Actor Alicia Mackenzie brilliantly holds the attention of the audience for over an hour as she relates at great pace the story as a member of Dr Jekyll’s household and, as such, her inside knowledge of the day-to-day events.

This brings the characters alive as it recalls some of the intimate details and behaviour of the individuals, exposing the duality of human nature – between innocence and violence, friendship and deceit, reputation and reality.

To anyone attending this production knowledge of the story line and the identity of the various named characters is essential.

Congratulations should go to Elizabeth Newman, Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s artistic director, and her team who have commissioned various new pieces and succeeded in presenting a series of productions this summer that can be performed on the amphitheatre stage in the Explorer’s Garden.

These have not only kept the theatre alive and open to its patrons but also kept others employed – including producers, technicians and front of house staff – which has enabled the Festival Theatre to keep active during these constrained times.

The setting among the trees has been the ideal surrounding for the variety of monologues and sketches performed and, hopefully, it has given food for thought on future presentations.

Obviously the weather plays a significant part in the risk factor for the success of outdoor productions.

The Theatre is very fortunate to have received a substantial grant from the Creative Scotland’s Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund.

These funds are directed to ensuring the theatre’s solvency, and supporting it to make work to reach as many people as possible, of all different ages, during this period of instability.

Alicia is also currently appearing in ‘Wind in the Willows’, performed on the theatre’ Bandstand stage, and she was a regular in the theatre’s 2019 productions.

Details of performances at Pitlochry Festival Theatre can be found on the website www. pilochryfestivaltheatre.com