Dracula at Lighthouse Poole Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Mel S-W

There are vampires. They are real, they are of our time, and they are here, close by, stalking us as we sleep… There were certainly vampires among us last night. The cast did a superb job in this adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. I haven’t read nor seen any adaptations of Dracula and I was amazed, on the edge of my seat and left rooting for Van Helsing and the team in their quest.

Blackeyed Theatre brings Bram Stoker’s Dracula to the Lighthouse for shows between until 15th March. Blackeyed Theatre is a touring company who will bring us a contemporary adaptation by Nick Lane with original music composed by Tristan Parkes. The set was simple but very effective with the same set being used for a castle, a sanitorium, a doctor’s office with the actors using swift movements to move props into place themselves. The cast moved crates to create beds, tables, seats or to create a train carriage or a seafaring boat. This movement looked rehearsed and very polished.

The cast, David Chafer, Harry Rundle, Marie Osman, Maya-Nika Bewley, Pele Kelland-Beau and Richard Keightly, played multiple characters, with most of the men playing Dracula as he appeared younger at certain points throughout the show. Transitioning between characters was simple and effective with a cast wardrobe at the back of the set but still visible to the audience. An equalette showing the cast were sailors, or a shawl to show that the character was now an elderly mother or the removal or an addition or removal of a skirt.

The cast never left the stage and were always in character, after a short outfit change, they could be seen staring out from the darkness. It was very spooky but also extremely effective. Set in the late 1800s we are transported back in time to an era where something strange lurks in the shadows. Their acting was phenomenal and there were times when they were in character but gave us a flash of evil in their eyes as they moved around the stage. So eerie and well delivered

We follow a group of friends who are brought closer together through a series of events such as a young solicitor being held against his will in Transylvania, a young lady, Lucy, who is “corrupted” by Dracula, and the mysterious deaths and disappearances of others. The group lead by Professor Van Helsing need to fight for their survival against the evil that has reached England’s shores. We are transported from the capital London, into rural England, then onto the mountainous wastes of Transylvania. Bram Stoker’s timeless gothic thriller embodies the struggle to break taboos, resist temptation and stop the unknown outside becoming the enemy within.

I thoroughly enjoyed last night’s performance, and thought I would struggle as I didn’t know the story, but I loved it and would highly recommend it to anyone. The play is designed in acts and at the start of each act we are told what is happening, where it’s set, and who is involved, so it was easy to follow. I thought it was very cleverly executed and well worth the watch. Well done to the cast, the audience were on the edge of our seats throughout.

Expect a running time of 135 minutes plus an Interval. It is recommended that anyone who wishes to watch should be over 12 years of age as there are some scenes of threat and violence.

I highly recommend it to anyone, even if you’ve not seen or read it.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets start from £19. There are still showings on Friday 14, Saturday 15 March 7pm (Thurs), 7.45pm (Fri, Sat), 2pm (Sat mat)

For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.lighthousepoole.co.uk or call the box office on 01202 280000.

Lighthouse, Arts and Entertainment, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG