The Tale Of The Original Jekyll And Hyde

If you're planning your calendar for May, there’s a theatrical performance coming to The Lantern Theatre in Brighton that digs into the roots of a very familiar story. On Saturday, 23 May 2026, Andy Dickinson is bringing The Tale Of The Original Jekyll And Hyde to the stage. Dickinson, who is the writer, performer, and producer of the piece, has previously worked on productions like Shackleton and his Stowaway and Tam O'Shanter, Tales & Whisky. This particular show, starting at 19:00, moves away from the fictional laboratory and instead explores the real-life figure who inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel.

The play centres on Deacon Brodie, a man who lived a dual existence in 18th-century Edinburgh. During the daylight hours, Brodie was a highly regarded cabinet maker and a member of the city council, but once night fell, he became a masked thief operating throughout the Old Town. The script also brings in a character named Stanley, a man from Stockport who finds himself entangled in Brodie’s dangerous night-time escapades. It’s a look at the historical criminal activity and the social hypocrisy of the era that eventually gave birth to the Jekyll and Hyde legend, providing context for how these real events were transformed into gothic fiction.

For those who follow the local theatre scene, Dickinson’s presence on stage has been noted for his previous work, including a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe and performances in London. This production seems to fit into that same vein of character-focused, historical storytelling. Tickets for the evening are priced at £8.00, which is a standard guide price for the venue. It’s a straightforward opportunity to see a piece of theatre that prioritises historical biography and literary origins, making it a practical choice for a Saturday night out in Brighton if you're interested in the history behind the horror.