Burnley Light Opera Society is turning to the dark side

Burnley Light Opera Society will jerk audiences back and forth on an spectrum of light and dark when they offer up an astonishing staging of Jekyll & Hyde.

These talented performers have amassed a well-deserved reputation for delivering productions to rival the professional league.

And this year’s show promises to be no different.

Take the talents of lead actor Andrew Tuton, who’s taking on the double role of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

“He is unbelievable,” said Peter Woodhead, of Burnley Light Opera Society. “When he auditioned, there were quite a few of us on the judging panel who were crying. It was a very emotional performance.

“And when he was introduced to the rest of the cast and sang, So This Is The Moment, one or two also got their hankies out. The girls were very impressed with him! He performed beautifully and that song is sure to be the show-stopper!”

In this musical adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic thriller, Frank Wildhorn has melded together a romantic pop-rock score, set to lyrics by Leslie Bricusse.

It’s the tale of a brilliant physician, Dr Jekyll, who attempts to cure his father’s mental illness by separating “good” from “evil” in the human personality.

But events take a terrible turn when he inadvertently creates within himself an alternate personality of pure evil - Mr Hyde - who wreaks murderous havoc on the city of London.

With Mr Hyde growing in power and threatening to take full control, the race is on for Dr Jekyll to find a cure for the demon created in his own mind.

It’s a powerful and challenging show which certainly requires a gutsy cast. But members of Burnley Light Opera Society are ready to channel their inner darkness, having jumped at the chance to stage it.

“It’s one of those favourite shows which people love to be involved in,” said Peter.

And it has everything needed to stir up a wet November week and conjure a theatrical storm.

“The music is stunning,” Peter added, “and the show is quite dark but there are some light moments and definitely some comical scenes. There’s some strange characters in it too!”

It will be on stage at The Burnley Mechanics from November 11th to 18th, starting at 7-30pm each night.

Tickets are £14 for the first three nights and £16 from Tuesday onwards.

To book call 01282 664400.