PREVIEW: THE HORROR WITHIN JEKYLL AND HYDE - AN INTERVIEW WITH TINA AURORA

Oct 18

Tina Aurora is no stranger to challenging literary roles. She has played Beatrice in Shakepeare’s *Much Ado About Nothing* and Catherine Earnshaw in *Wuthering Heights*. Beyond her theatre work, she is a multi-disciplinary performer specializing in film, television, and voice-over projects. This October/November, she will be playing the role of Elizabeth in Village Theatre Waterdown (VTW)’s upcoming production of *Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.*

Together, we discuss her love of the play’s themes, the play’s unique casting of not one but *four* Mr. Hydes, the highlights of the rehearsal process and how horror theatre continues to impact, frighten and confront audiences and their understanding of human nature.

What inspired you to audition for VTW’s production of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?

T.A.: I love adaptations of great works of literature, and I love gritty period pieces, so this seemed quite a good fit with what I enjoy doing. The themes of this play caught my eye. The titular characters are incredibly well known, as is their dynamic - I was curious to see how the playwright handled them, and found it interesting that Edward Hyde is played by 4 actors. The splitting of this identity into those 4 facets is an interesting choice, and one that makes the script intriguing and novel.

What are some ways you have prepared yourself to take on the role of Elizabeth and how has the rehearsal process assisted with that?

T.A.: Well, I think, for period pieces, you really need to research the historical context - how did people speak and with which accents, how did they hold themselves, how did they interact with others, etc. The rehearsal process has been more free flowing, so we need to do our own homework and come prepared to lend flavour to the character on our own time. And, while I’m playing against Jekyll and his Hydes, my relationships are deeper with some and more superficial with others, so it’s been an interesting ride.

What themes from the narrative do you believe still resonate most with audiences?

T.A.: What fascinates me is the theme that good and evil are never completely separable from each other. They’re intertwined - and in each and every person, there is some of both. How these facets interact with one another in a single person is something that is intriguing and everyone - I’m sure - can attest to it through their own experiences. No one is entirely a saint or a sinner, and that’s what makes the human condition, and this play, an interesting thing to behold and experience.

What have been some highlights in bringing this production to the stage?

T.A.: One of the highlights includes having 4 actors play Hyde, as each brings their own flavour to the character. It’s been wonderful to watch my castmates interact and play off of each other, particularly with the dynamic between Jekyll and the Hydes. Period pieces bring an excitement in the air, as they transport you to a world that no longer exists in the same shape it once did, so I get quite a kick out of that - I can, for a moment on stage, time travel.

What makes performing horror classics such as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde important to you?

T.A.: I think what’s riveting about horror classics is their focus on the themes that have plagued humans for centuries - they really wrestle with sweeping philosophical questions about the human condition which are timeless. What does it mean to be good, what does it mean to be evil, how can we make sure we’re walking down a path that is just, when does “goodness” become corrupt, and when has humanity gone too far in its search for perfection and convenience?
These are all questions horror classics like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde pose, and I’m sure you’ll notice all are incredibly relevant today.

Thank you Tina for your terrific insights about this upcoming production. If you’re looking for a thrilling classic to see on stage in October/November, be sure to check out Village Theatre Waterdown’s rendition of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde! The production begins October 30 and runs until November 15, 2026.

JEKYLL AND HYDE TICKETS