If Robert Louis Stevenson time travelled to the 21st century, he’d probably be astonished that his gothic novella, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, which is still in print, is as popular today as it was when first published in 1886.
Victorian era readers couldn’t get enough of it and by the early 20th century a new readership demographic had developed for the suspense/horror genre which has been largely triggered by this story.
The dichotomy of the human condition, good vs evil, spans millennia but in Stevenson’s hands the trope is less ethereal, less theoretical, more grounded in reality. Dr Jekyll’s battle with his dark side (Mr Hyde) becomes personal for Stevenson as it was written during one of the author’s many bouts with life-threatening respiratory illness. He awoke from a feverish dream which provided the plot and within days the first draft was complete, written in his sick bed.
Over the past 130 years, Jekyll & Hyde has been adapted hundreds of times for the stage, radio, films and of course musical interpretations. The most recent musical theatre version debuted in 1990. A Broadway revival in 2013 has put the show back in the spotlight.
Laura Collins has the blues
It’s been a while since we’ve hosted a blues band so we’re rapt to have Laura Collins and her Back Porch Blues Band on stage for one night only.
Laura is a familiar face in the New Zealand blues scene and brings with her some seasoned musicians. Pianist Wayne Mason is a well-known Kiwi songwriter. His hit from 1969, ‘Nature (enter me)’ when he was in the band Fourmyula is still a Kiwi favourite. John O'Connor on guitar, considered one of New Zealand’s guitar legends, George Barris on mellow upright bass and Pete Cogswell on Back Porch Drums make up the rest.
Join our Community Choir
This year’s Christmas Carols in the Amphitheatre will feature North Shore Chorale and PumpHouse Community Choir which celebrates its first birthday this month.
As the name suggests, the community choir is made up of locals.
Absolutely anyone is welcome to join. You don’t need a trained voice. Our choir leader, Matt Kereama will help you stay in tune. All you need to do is to come to rehearsals for a couple of weeks and be available to perform on December 17th. Please contact julia@pumphouse.co.nz if you wish to join.
PumpHouse Gift Vouchers make great Christmas gifts - just saying.
Cheers,
James Bell
What’s On:
November 10 at 7.30pm
Laura Collins and the Back Porch Blues Band
Jazz and blues
All tickets $25
Nov 18 – Dec 2
North Shore Music Theatre Presents
JEKYLL & HYDE – the Musical
Weds – Sat 7.30pm
Sat/Sun Matinees 2pm
Adult $35
Senior/Child/Student $30
December 11 - 21
Tim Bray Productions presents
THE SANTA CLAUS SHOW
Two shows daily – 10.30am and 1pm (except Sundays)
Tickets $22 - $25
December 17 at 6pm
The PumpHouse presents
Christmas Carols in the PumpHouse Amphitheatre
Entry $5 at the door – under 12s free
Jan 20 – Feb 17 2018
Shoreside Theatre presents
Auckland Shakespeare in the Park
In the PumpHouse Amphitheatre on alternating nights
ROMEO & JULIET
THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
All sessions 7.30pm
Adult $23 - $28
Senior $20 - $24
Student $18 - $22
Child $12 - $15
Group rates available
The PumpHouse Theatre
Killarney Park, off Manurere Ave
Takapuna
Bookings 09 489 8360
www.pumphouse.co.nz
