Themes in Jekyll & Hyde​

Jekyll & Hyde explores a range of different themes and ideas through it's content and it's style of storytelling. Have a go at answering the questions about each of the key themes below. You could do this on your own, or discuss them with your class.
HOW WE COMMUNE AND CONNECT
  1. Why do you think the actors use the audience to help tell the story of Jekyll & Hyde? Use examples from the performance to support your ideas.
  2. How were themes of community and connection present in the performance - both in the text, and the style of storytelling?
  3. What do you see as the purpose of theatre and the arts in society in relation to this theme?
 
THE DARKNESS WITHIN US 
  1. What theatre devices and storytelling techniques were used to portray the duality of the way we present ourselves vs the dark desires within us all?
  2. In what ways were the audience asked to explore their own 'darkness within'? 
  3. How were lighting, sound, and props used to explore the theme of 'the darkness within'?
 
CELEBRATING OUR BOLDNESS
  1. What about Jekyll & Hyde felt celebratory? What techniques were used to create a feeling of boldness and celebration in the theatre?
  2. Why do you think the play wants to celebrate boldness in the context of the story of Jekyll and Hyde?
  3. How were the audience used to exhibit this theme within the theatre?
 

"We found that because of how the cast play together, and how they build a relationship with the audience, that something about our work is inevitably about boldness. It’s about freedom and how we feel like we want do things, and we don’t do them. And we wish we were a certain way, but we squash what we want to do all the time."
​- Leo Gene Peters