In the first of our occasional series of reviews written by members of our Lighthouse Young Writers, Jack R Davis turns his critical eye to Blackeyed Theatre's production of Dracula that played a three-night run in our Theatre this month...
I believe everyone knows the story of Dracula. Everyone knows the gripping, horrific, spectacular of the vampire Count! He with the strength of twenty men. He who sinks away easily into the night. He most evil indeed. Everyone knows the story of Dracula; except me it seems.
Nick Lane’s adaption of the classic Bram Stoker novel is dreadful in the greatest way; every second is full of dread.
You dread every second Dracula appears. You dread every second you can’t find him – he must be somewhere after all. To truly make an audience member forget the safety of the fourth wall is mightily frightening and impressive, and the usage of harsh white lights, soundscapes, and superb acting on all fronts breathes life into this classic and ignites the imagination and fear of the unknown and unknowable. No one is safe.
The play opened my eyes – as an uncultured man on the ways of vampirism – to the horrific wonder of the good Count. Portrayed disturbingly well by David Chafer and Richard Keightly who gift the Count a charmingly human personality that may in turn manipulate you into sympathising with him. Don’t be fooled, however, he’s bloodthirsty, and both actors balance the charm with the monstrosity fantastically giving beautifully terrific performances.
In fact, every actor/actress does fantastically. The play utilises a diary like framing device with multi-rolling and actors introducing the acts. The story is a linear timeline following the adventures of Dracula, touching on the humans he haunts along the way, and this framing device does a stellar job at ensuring a sense of security for the characters is never truly felt, with the actors’ transitions between characters being fluid and never jarring. It felt as if the book had come to life.
Dracula is a modern version of a classic done right – an adaption that ignited the love and fear of someone inexperienced in the ways of vampirism, me, and I highly recommend any interested in gothic horror to give Nick Lane’s Dracula a watch.
Jack R Davis