A THEATRE group in North Yorkshire is to stage one of its most ambitious productions so far.

The 1812 Theatre Group in Helmsley will perform the musical Jekyll and Hyde next month at the Helmsley Arts Centre.

Jekyll and Hyde – the Musical has mesmerised audiences the world over with its thrilling score of pop rock hits from multi-Grammy and Tony-nominated Frank Wildhorn and double Oscar and Grammy-winning Leslie Bricusse.

A devoted man of science, Dr Henry Jekyll is driven to find a chemical breakthrough that can solve some of mankind's most challenging medical dilemmas – indeed, he is trying to discover cures for what we would now recognise as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Rebuffed by the powers that be, he decides to make himself the subject of his own experimental treatments, accidentally unleashing his inner demons along with the man the world would come to know as Mr Hyde.

Julie Lomas will be making her directing debut for 1812 but she has a wealth of experience from Walsall Operative Society. She is joined in the creativity team by John Atkin who is a very well-known musical director in Yorkshire.

Wildhorn’s soaring melodies offer wonderful opportunities for the performers to showcase their abilities. The two leading ladies each have their showstopping moments, but for the actor playing Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, it is a breath-taking tour de force.

Enter Joe Gregory, who is a very talented musician and experienced actor. In addition to being a stalwart of 1812’s popular pantomimes, Joe’s recent credits for 1812 include Martin Vander Weyer’s 'Helmsley’s Whole History, Alan Ayckbourn’s 'Absent Friends' and David Tristram’s 'Going Green.

He will be playing opposite his wife, Amy Gregory, who plays Jekyll’s fiancée, Emma Danvers. Amy is a 'graduate' of 1812’s Youth Theatre, which is led by the talented Natasha Jones who plays Lucy, the other woman in Jekyll’s life.

This production is being sponsored by Yorkshire Future Music Fund and The Gillham Charitable Fund.

Jekyll and Hyde will be performed in the Helmsley Arts Centre at 7.30pm from Wednesday, July 5, to Sunday, July 9. Tickets (adults £15 and under-18 £7.50) are available at the Arts Centre or online at www.helmsleyarts.co.uk.