A TALE of a real split personality is coming to Reading this autumn, and the creative team bringing it to life has just been announced.
In October, Reading Rep Theatre will be creating a new production of the classic tale of Jekyll and Hyde.
It’s about a mad scientist who discovers an elixir that has special powers, but when he takes it it creates an alter ego who is totally without conscience.
In a battle of wits, who will be the dominate force in his life?
The show will be performed at the Kings Road theatre from October 10-29, and is the first show in its 10th anniversary season.
All tickets will be just £20, as part of the theatre’s bid to help people enjoy a night out during the cost of living crisis.
The show has been written by Gary McNair, and will be directed by Michael Fentiman.
The duo are promising that the show will turn Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic story on its head, revealing the depths of one person’s psyche and the lengths people will go to hide their deepest secrets.
Joining McNair and Fentiman on the creative team are Max Jones (The Comedy of Errors at the RSC, Noises Off at Lyric Hammersmith & West End) as Production Designer, Emily Irish (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) as Lighting Designer, Annie Kershaw (Safe, Best of Enemies) as Assistant Director and Fran Levin (DORIAN at Reading Rep, The Pirate Queen at London Coliseum) as Costume Supervisor. Sarah Harkins (for Annelie Powell Casting) is Casting Director.
Casting will be announced at a further date.
Running alongside Jekyll & Hyde will be the ENGAGE project Stranger Than Fiction, a community project that explores the real life inspiration behind the classic story, with participants creating pieces of fiction inspired by real life.
As well as the £20 ticket price cap, the theatre will continue to make 10% of tickets free of charge as part of its ENGAGE programme, while there will be a limited number of £5 seats for under 30s during the first week of each production.
Paul Stacey, Artistic Director of Reading Rep Theatre said: “It has been an extraordinary 10 years of making theatre in Reading, and this upcoming season celebrates every artist, audience and team member who got us to this point.
“Accessibility and connection is at the heart of Reading Rep. We refuse to let the price point of our tickets be a barrier for our audiences, especially when the cost of living across the UK is so excruciatingly high.
“All tickets for all shows will be under £20. 10% of all our tickets remain free for those underserved in the arts, and there will be 210 £5 tickets per show for Under 30s.
This season promises to radically engage with our future, whilst memorialising our decade-long past.”
Tickets are on sale at www.readingrep.com.
