'Jack the Ripper' brings London horror to Flint

This review appeared in The Flint Journal on October 12, 2007

The weather cooperated with Flint Youth Theatre on Thursday night by turning appropriately dark and chilly for the opening of "Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper."

Executive artistic director William P. Ward's original script tells the story of the shadowy and vicious killer who stalked and killed five women in Victorian London's down and out East End. Intriguingly, "Jack" became a legend even though no one ever knew his true identity.

Walk into Elgood Theater and step literally into the fog of 1880s England. The stage floor is a cobblestone square backed by brick-faced doorways and portals authentically replicating the poor Whitechapel district. The overall effect is stunning.

Director Walter Hill's cast consists of six men and five women who step in and out of various roles as they portray and narrate the events of that frightening time. Each murder unfolds with graphic symbolism, a flashing knife and the victim's blood spilled into a vase. Jack is a stealthy figure who moves in for the kill and disappears without ever being seen, sometimes even by the victim.

Playing the five victims are Sara Robinson, Royaa Soltani, Marie Glenn, Michelle Napier-Dunnings and Deirdre Baker. Each portrayal is unique and spiced with a bit of history as to how each woman came to be on the streets. Stories of alcohol and domestic abuse emerge from broken marriages and lives gone astray. Cockney and Irish accents, while authentic, were sometimes difficult to understand Thursday.

As for the gents, Nathan Pease is the busy coroner, Ron Bailey plays the equally busy constable and Wes Tallman is the Inspector. Jordan Robert Climie plays a reporter, and Don Hillaker is a typical scruffy man in the street. Finally, Matthew M. Washington is sinister and shadowy as the Jack figure.

Projections are used throughout to bring home the true-crime nature of this tale. Actual photos of the crime scenes and gruesome shots of the actual victims are interspersed with the "eyes of the ghoulish killer."

Ward's research into the history behind the legend brings a disturbing reality to this production. This story is not appropriate for the under-12 set, as even teens may squirm a bit at the close proximity of the action. The play runs almost 90 minutes without intermission, and while that may seem a little long given the somewhat narrative-heavy nature of the piece, it's still the perfect tale for a spooky October night.

"Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper" continues at Flint Youth Theatre through Oct. 27. Tickets: (810) 237-1530.

By Kathleen Kirby
Contributing Writer, The Flint Journal