ROBERT Louis Stevenson’s dark Victorian tale danced and sung its way into Bromley’s Churchill Theatre, in a production that had as much good and bad as its split protagonist, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Having never seen the musical version of the story before, I was quite surprised to see just how differently it had been interpreted to suit the genre.

The cast swelled from the novella’s eight males to an 18-strong-cast of talented performers, who genuinely managed to fill every plane of the stage, leaving no area unused.

Fit to bursting with songs, the musical version also brought comedy and tragedy through solos and eerie chorus numbers - albeit with what seemed to be rather gratuitous swearing.

The characters were also adapted for the stage, with not one, but two love interests added, one for each side of Jekyll’s split personality.

And the show’s star attraction, former Wet Wet Wet singer Marti Pellow, proved that he had really got to grips with the duality of his character, going from a stiff, scripted and thoroughly mediocre Jekyll to a brilliant, cruel and wicked Hyde.

Pellow flourished as Hyde, somehow managing to get the audience on his side while killing everyone from corrupt bishops to prostitutes.

Yet he was able to prove that he was still a figure to be loathed, and raised gasps from the audience when he spat disdainfully on the prostitute whom he had just killed.

As Jekyll, however, Pellow seemed unable to produce the empathy needed from the audience, and gave the character little qualities to which one could warm.

Where Jekyll should have been despairing, Pellow was wooden. Where he should have been loving, he was cold. And where he should have been mad, Pellow was scripted.

But what was magnificent about Pellow in both roles was his astounding voice, which was made for the stage.

With his Scottish accent and a tone as foggy as Victorian London’s sky, Pellow gave every song great warmth, power and emotion - which earned him a standing ovation at the end of the show.

And his co-stars Sabrina Carter (Lucy) and Sarah Earnshaw (Emma) proved that they deserve far more than understudy roles in Wicked, both giving the performance of a true leading lady whilst belting out the show’s best song, In his eyes.

The show’s fantastic set, which featured St Paul’s Cathedral looming in the background throughout, was swiftly moved to make for quick scene changes. Within the pull of a few ropes, the East End’s back alleys had been removed and replaced by Jekyll’s Harley Street office.

Sadly the effects of the set were not reflected in staging effects or costume. Hyde was only recognisable when Pellow donned a majestic cape and cane, and what should have been a shocking transformation before the audience’s eyes turned into a slightly embarrassed Pellow falling to the floor and removing his cape to reveal (tada!) it was him all along.

All in all it is worth the watch - if only to hear Pellow’s magnificent voice.

Jekyll and Hyde runs at The Churchill Theatre, High Street, Bromley until Saturday. To book, call 0844 871 7620 or visit ambassadortickets.com/bromley