Annie McKenzie brings her theatrical supper club dining Scripts for Supper to London this winter with her latest production The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
I was invited courtesy of Annie herself to experience her latest production and enjoy the wonderful Victorian inspired dishes in return for a review.
Who is Annie McKenzie and what is Scripts for Supper?
Annie McKenzie
Actor Annie McKenzie was a semi-finalist on MasterChef 2016 in which she impressed judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace with her bold flavours and classic style of cooking. Even Michelin Starred Marcus Waring called her “A serious cook” with celebrated food critic Jay Rayner commenting that her food was “rich serious and delicious”.
Since then Annie set up her own theatrical dining business Scripts for Supper which fuses together food and theatre.
Scripts for Supper
Scripts for Supper opened it’s door back in 2017 bringing to London a dining theatrical experience.
Her first debut production Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare at The London Cooking Project which received 5* reviews.
Her truly special theatrical dining experiences fuse together acting, music, food, drink and oodles of merriment, and has been featured in Hello! Magazine, Sainsbury’s Magazine, Luxury London, Devon Life and all over the blogosphere.
She works alongside guest chefs, local suppliers and talented performers to give people a great unique and ultimately memorable experience as this is a theatrical dining pop up with a difference.
Latest production The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
This autumn Scripts for Supper presents an adaptation of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde bringing everyone’s nightmare’s to The Tab Centre in London.
The Tab Centre is an institution with an on site church that has been around for 150 years. They teach young local children how to cook, feed the homeless and is generally a sanctuary.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was originally written by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson which was first published back in 1886. The story is about a London lawyer named Gabriel John Utterson who investigates strange occurrences between his old friend, Dr Henry Jekyll and the evil Edward Hyde. It is to reflect about people who have an unpredictably dual nature usually from good, but sometimes shockingly evil instead.
Why go and see this production?
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Scripts for Supper a theatrical feast for the night
Upon entering The Tab Centre we were led upstairs for a reception drink in which we mingled with other guests, performers whilst enjoying a Tarquin’s Gin bramble cocktail.
After a little while Annie McKenzie then came up and introduced herself whilst serving her delicious canapes of Scotch Rarebit (with whiskey instead of beer) and chutney in honour of Robert Louis Stevenson’s, Scottishness.
Upon looking over the balcony we could see the dining area where we were going to eat with the two long tables decorated nicely with Victorian lace table cloth and candelabras which were provided by the Vintage Tea Company.
After a while we was then taken down to enjoy a Victorian banquet cooked by Annie, Faye Dodwell Catering and Food Bon Vivant all whilst watching and engaging in the immersive world of Dr Jekyll and My Hyde.
The performers doubled up as waiters in bringing food to the tables. Expect music, singing, merriment and some spooky vaudeville to liven up those dark winter nights.
Food glorious food
The food was all based on old Victorian recipes.
Chicken liver pate, sourdough, chutney, watercress
The pate was smooth, rich and meaty and tasted lovely on the thick bread which came from B H Bakery. The chutney gave it that extra tang when combined with the pate. The chutney was provided by Rubies In The Rubble.
Smoked haddock fishcake, curry mayonnaise
This haddock fishcake tasted great with the capers complimenting the whole dish and the curry mayonnaise giving it that little extra kick.
Slow cooked breast of lamb, potato terrine, roasted onion, braised cabbage, gravy
This lamb which was provided by Ginger Pig Ltd. It was cooked to perfection with it being succulent, rich, extremely tasty and melted literally in the mouth. I loved everything about this whole dish and especially the crisp crackling. The only thing though was I wish I had a bigger portion of the potato terrine as I felt it was rather small.
Pond pudding with custard
Wow this pudding was sticky, tangy and zesty. When you cut into the big pudding which you have to share between six others it was a sight to be seen with whole lemons in the middle of the pudding rolling on out and the smell of lemons hitting your nostrils. It was a pudding of wonder and taste. I loved it and is the best pudding I have ever eaten at any supper club, wow wow wow.
If you are a vegetarian there is also another menu which is available and consisted of Homity pie, roasted onion, braised cabbage, gravy followed by Red lentil pate with same accompaniments then a main of Bombay potato cake with mint mayonnaise and finally Pond pudding with custard.
During the night diners can purchase additional drinks from Tarquin Gin made cocktails, non-alcoholic cocktails, wine by Uncharted_Wines or beer from Red Church Beer. Please note though cash only is accepted at the bar.
Theatrical spectacular
The story of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was played out really well and took you through the stages of how Dr Jekyll became Mr Hyde by drinking a potion which he created. Upon ingesting this elixir, Jekyll is gruesomely transformed into the wicked Mr Hyde. Mr Hyde’s actions progress from worrying to becoming murderous and with his transformations becoming more frequent, with Jekyll losing his ability to control Mr Hyde all together.
The performance was acted out by The Pineapple Players from acting, playing musical instruments and even serving our food.
The four performers who played the roles all acted out their parts really well making you feel that you had been transported back to the Victorian times with beautiful Victorian style costumes designed by Jo Jo Fauchier.
Photo supplied by Annie McKenzie
Jacob Banser played the inimitable Dr Jekyll and the incorrigible Mr Hyde. His performance was powerful and led you into the world of the Victorian era and making you think and question the different characteristics of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Charlie Limm is playing the musician, narrator and see-er of all things in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde adaptation. She has worked extensively within theatre and music environments as an actor, musician, workshop facilitator and most recently as a music assistant at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. She also performs as part of a folksy duo called Patchwork Skies. Last year she even released her first ever EP. Charlie played out her roles during this show with great enthusiasm really bringing the whole play alive.
Joe Delacroix is an actor and writer. He plays out his role grandly whilst showcasing off his undoubtedly stylish moustache to celebrate Movember.
Katriona plays Poole and a plethora of other characters playing them all really well and making you feel emotional for poor Poole near the end.
He is a clip of rehearsal performance by the outstanding cast.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpz0Lh3HyHN/
The end
This was a thoroughly played out performance by The Pineapple Players and all served along with an exceptional banquet of food by Annie McKenzie & Co.
If you love the story of Dr Jekyll and My Hyde, immersive theatre, musicians, supper clubs, anything to do with MasterChef then you’ll be mad to miss this epic theatrical dining show experience.
“The secret to a happiness is a small ego. And a big wallet. Good wine helps, too. But that’s not really a secret, is it?”
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Book
Want to enjoy a Victorian supper by Scripts for Supper? click here.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is held at The Tab Centre in London near Old Street Station and can be seen on either 15th, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 29th, 30th November or 1st, 6th, 7th, 8th December.
Thanks to Annie McKenzie for inviting me down to her latest production of Scripts for Supper of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. The evening was complimentary to me but all views are of my own honest opinion.
“I love going out discovering new and existing restaurants, theatres, immersive experiences and so much more but I also love staying in and discovering new gadgets, gaming and cooking.
