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Sorry for deviating off topic but I felt RivkahChaya’s notes on Mansfield required some comment.
Make-up and lighting changes were central to Mansfield’s transformations but, I’m afraid, I don’t recognise the Hyde-specific wig or the running off stage for make-up touch-ups and hairy, long-nailed gloves before returning for the next scene as Hyde. There was no need for any of this as the only on-stage Jekyll to Hyde transformation brought the play to an end.
The first on-stage transformation comes towards the end of Act 3 where Hyde taunts Lanyon before drinking the potion: “from the glass which he puts down with a loud cry. He reels, staggers and clutches the table, calls out in Jekyll’s voice ‘Lanyon! Lanyon!’ Then he straightens himself and walks erect to centre-stage as Jekyll.” This concludes Act 3.
The second and final on-stage transformation comes in Act 4 where, during a soliloquy while looking out of a window at the rear of the stage, mainly with his back to the audience, after some shivering convulsions and clasping of his face in his hands, Jekyll falls into a chair and realises: “he has slowly turned into Hyde and now sees himself in the glass and rises with a shriek.” Hyde then lurches to centre-stage, drinks poison and falls to the floor, dead. As Lanyon, Poole, Newcome and Agnes enter, the curtain falls, bringing the play to an end.
In addition to make-up and lighting effects, Mansfield achieved his transformation through dramatic alterations in stature, bearing, facial and vocal expression. He was aided in this by a single wig, worn for both Jekyll and Hyde. This full-bodied wig was heavily greased so that it could be smoothly swept back and to the side for Jekyll, or tousled and pulled forward as Hyde; the grease ensuring it would retain the desired style. Both styles can clearly be seen in the famous double-exposure publicity photograph of Mansfield in the dual role.
(The specific quotes in the above come from stage direction in the original Lyceum script of Mansfield’s Jekyll and Hyde performance.)
Interestingly, in terms of Jon’s point, for the early performances of Jekyll and Hyde at the Lyceum, Mansfield wore the same low-crown, wide-brimmed hat as both Jekyll and Hyde. By the 18th August, however, he had taken to wearing a silk chapeau as Jekyll; thus appropriately clothing his doctor in what would come to be seen as classic Ripper garb.
Once again, I’m sorry for this distraction.
Best wishes
alex
The London stage production used an interesting effect, by which, part of the Jekyll-to-Hyde transformation took place in full view of the audience. It was done by putting make-up on the actor (Richard Mansfield) in make-up that was visible only under certain light, and having the stage lit without that light, then changing the light as the transformation took place.
Onstage, after the light trick, Mansfield would fall down, grab a wig and false teeth and hurriedly pull them on, get back up, and run off stage, and that was the end of the scene (maybe the act, I'm not sure). He'd get make-up touch-ups, wig straightened, hairy, long-nailed gloves, and soforth, before the next scene. It had to be pretty darned cool.
Onstage, after the light trick, Mansfield would fall down, grab a wig and false teeth and hurriedly pull them on, get back up, and run off stage, and that was the end of the scene (maybe the act, I'm not sure). He'd get make-up touch-ups, wig straightened, hairy, long-nailed gloves, and soforth, before the next scene. It had to be pretty darned cool.
The first on-stage transformation comes towards the end of Act 3 where Hyde taunts Lanyon before drinking the potion: “from the glass which he puts down with a loud cry. He reels, staggers and clutches the table, calls out in Jekyll’s voice ‘Lanyon! Lanyon!’ Then he straightens himself and walks erect to centre-stage as Jekyll.” This concludes Act 3.
The second and final on-stage transformation comes in Act 4 where, during a soliloquy while looking out of a window at the rear of the stage, mainly with his back to the audience, after some shivering convulsions and clasping of his face in his hands, Jekyll falls into a chair and realises: “he has slowly turned into Hyde and now sees himself in the glass and rises with a shriek.” Hyde then lurches to centre-stage, drinks poison and falls to the floor, dead. As Lanyon, Poole, Newcome and Agnes enter, the curtain falls, bringing the play to an end.
In addition to make-up and lighting effects, Mansfield achieved his transformation through dramatic alterations in stature, bearing, facial and vocal expression. He was aided in this by a single wig, worn for both Jekyll and Hyde. This full-bodied wig was heavily greased so that it could be smoothly swept back and to the side for Jekyll, or tousled and pulled forward as Hyde; the grease ensuring it would retain the desired style. Both styles can clearly be seen in the famous double-exposure publicity photograph of Mansfield in the dual role.
(The specific quotes in the above come from stage direction in the original Lyceum script of Mansfield’s Jekyll and Hyde performance.)
The idea of the Ripper being a Toff, or dressing like a Toff, is probably inspired more by the contemporary theatrical drama, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, playing around London at the time.
It does present a visual treat, top hat, cane, little black bag & cape swirling through the midnight fog. Who can resist such a romantic figure.
It does present a visual treat, top hat, cane, little black bag & cape swirling through the midnight fog. Who can resist such a romantic figure.
Once again, I’m sorry for this distraction.
Best wishes
alex
In later years his business took him to America, and he was a frequent visitor to London, so he was no stranger to travel and he was also a regular user of prostitutes in addition to his drug habit. The East End would have been like a second, or third home to him.
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