ROBERT Louis Stevenson’s classic tale Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is coming to the stage of Henley’s Kenton Theatre — with its murder most foul in musical form, writes Colin Palmer.

Members of Woodley Light Operatic Society will be performing Jekyll and Hyde — The Musical from Wednesday to Saturday, June 13 to 16, at 7.45pm.

The extremes of Victorian world will be brought to life through costume, drama and dance and with songs including Facade and Murder, Murder in this modern telling of the tale.

WLOS’s production is the first amateur staging of the musical in the area and is directed by Karen Bird and choreographed by David Parsonson, with Andy Milburn as musical director.

The story tells how the evil Mr Hyde is released to do his worst after Dr Jekyll dabbles with his dangerous potions.

In an attempt to tackle the problems of his day, Dr Jekyll tries to convince his hospital's board of governors to allow him to experiment on a human subject with his unusual medical concoctions. But, when the board refuses him permission to do so, it leaves Dr Jekyll with no alternative but to try the potions on himself.

As the wickedness in the form of Mr Hyde becomes more powerful, Dr Jekyll goes to extraordinary lengths to cover up the calamity that has befallen him.

He hides it all from his upper-class fiancé, Emma, revealing his plight only to his closest friend, John Utterson.

The best and worst aspects of Victorian life are portrayed as Dr Jekyll tries desperately to reverse the potion’s effects.

The show contains adult themes and material that may not be suitable for children.

Tickets, priced £14 and £15, (Student and OAP concessions available), are available online at woodleylightoperatic.ticketsource.co.uk or on 0844 8801846. More information is available on the society website www.wlos.co.uk