Dracula | Blackeyed Theatre Company | National Tour | Review

Dracula
Blackeyed Theatre Company
Connaught Theatre, Worthing

Directed by Nick Lane

Original novel by Bram Stoker, written and adapted for the stage by Nick Lane


‘There are such beings as vampires’


This is the opening line from the brand new adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel, a novel which has been available to us all almost constantly during the some hundred or more years since it was written, in a huge variety of forms: on stage, TV and cinema, as well as via a number of Stoker biographies and Dracula theories. The long fanged blood sucking Master of Evil makes virtual appearances every Hallowe’en, in shop windows, at fancy dress parties and of course, the beautiful harbour town of Whitby is host to countless amusement arcades, ‘Dracula experiences’ and plastic reproductions in themed shops. All in the best – or worst – possible taste, whichever way you choose to view them. But climb to the top of the stunning skeleton of Whitby Abbey in the Lord of Darkness’s footsteps (which I did just a year ago), during the late afternoon, when – if you’re lucky – it is bathed in golden sunshine, standing sharp against a clear blue sky, this is when a slight shiver might travel down your back, and the sight of a large black dog could cause you to hastily scoot to the safety of the harbour below. This is when you just might get the true sense of the presence of evil.


Blackeyed Theatre is certainly one of the most innovative and creative companies around right now. Their trademark ensemble pieces are unfailingly powerful, and designed not just to entertain, but to make the audience think. Nick Lane’s complex adaptation was no different, and he is to be congratulated for taking on this mighty project, both for his adaptation of the Stoker novel, and for the creative energy he has invested in the directing of it.


The set, true to Blackeyed’s tradition, is stark and simple, and a credit to the designer, Victoria Spearing, immediately managing to convey the bleakness of the piece, neatly enabling the cast to take us, in our imagination, to several different scenes, sometimes more than one at a time. The lighting effects are remarkably atmospheric, and the eerie sounds and songs (music and lyrics by Tristan Parkes) contribute greatly to the evocation of Bram Stoker’s ethereal panorama, together both creatives authentically reproducing the darkness of the Victorian landscape of the novel.


Nick Lane’s adaptation, whilst effectively carrying the main threads of Bram Stoker’s original novel, introduced other themes, including subtle negative references to the British Empire, plus importantly, mysogyny and the treatment of women. Both themes obviously close to his heart. Of course, it is a fact that Stoker possessed his own inner demons, he wrote of vampires and Dracula himself as sexual creatures, arguably with a touch of the homoerotic. None of this was lost in this production.


The performers’ ability to cope with complicated dialogue, movement and change of character was impressive, however I am reluctant to label any of them as ‘stand out’ – but perhaps that’s the intention of a good ensemble piece. My main issue was that not only was the dialogue pretty burdensome, but the constant change of character (each performer played two or three parts), some adopting an alternative role and accent within seconds of each other, meant following the plot impossible if your attention diverted even momentarily. The action fairly whipped along, but never more than in the second act, which unfortunately didn’t quite work for me, the time slips and to-ing and fro-ing of the actors was rather confusing the result making it feel slightly onerous and muddled, almost as if it was striving to produce every iota of plot it could summon, however instead it left us wanting something rather simpler but more affecting. Also, sadly, the Gothic horror never really came through, after the promise of the first act.


Having said that, I remain a great fan of Blackeyed, and I cannot fault the talent and expertise of all the cast and creative team. I’ve been fortunate to have been in the audience for several great performances from this dedicated, energetic group of people, who constantly strive to deliver ever more provocative and unconventional artistic works. I look forward to the next.


Reviewer: Gill Ranson

⭐⭐⭐

2 hours 20 minutes, including 20 minute interval

Touring