Jekyll and Hyde, again and again
Today I think I came the closest to seeing Jekyll and Hyde done as I want it to be done. I’ve always been attracted to the story, and aside from the novel (which I always felt held only the kernel of the story, a story Stevenson wasn’t willing or able to pursue) I’ve seen the versions with Spencer Tracey, Mary Reilly (horrible film and novel-I’m
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Is this our new motto?
Hopefully I will come back and be able to articulate what I mean by this? Right now I feel my meaning won't come across.
Well, we could discuss in person later.
I agree that it pushed buttons without really going anywhere, or far enough anyway, which is why I sort of felt euphoric at those things being addressed at all but not "omg this is the best play/J&H ever!" One thing the Tracey film/J&H musical do is put the Elizabeth-y character, Lucy, in contact with both of them. Jekyll, depressed over his failure in front of the board of directors, pops in for a drink. Lucy, a dancehall girl, meets and is intrigued by this polite doctor guy, who gives her his card though he declines her favors. Hyde, of course, takes her up on the latter, and then she goes to see Jekyll when Hyde hurts her. Cheap, maybe, but nice.
Oh also I think that if we'd liked Mrs. Jackman at all you'd feel a little better about Jekyll.
But mostly what I'd do if I started with Stevenson is do something like the play but flesh it out more, which feels sort of . . . wrong, since the play already IS a rewrite and it does a good job and there are many things I respect about it.
Hmm. It's an interesting question, but as far as legality goes I don't think there's a problem if it's inspired by the play. I think that play was probably inspired by the other versions that came before, the ones with Ivy/Lucy, for example. Maybe he saw Jekyll. Who knows? Susan Kay surely saw ALW, and cites that as her inspiration, despite not really following the show for her plot. The elements of Dr. Jekyll... are pretty standard, so it's hard to say "that's mine" just because you, say, add a woman or USE A CONTINUUM INSTEAD OF A BINARY.
I would sooooo read your Jekyll and Hyde story.
Well even if I don't love Christy can't we talk about it? I can still share it with you. Do you require that I love it? or that I respect your love for it and am able to converse and mirror back to you?
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