DRACULA: till 1 November
DRACULA: Liz Lochhead adaptation from Bram Stoker's novel
Derby Playhouse
Runs: 2h 45m, one interval, till 1 November
Review: Rod Dungate, 26 October 2003
Big, bold, disturbing a great chance to see this fine adaptation
A great opportunity to see this intriguing adaptation of Stoker's famous story in a production that is detailed and holds nothing back. Gone is the Grand Guignol sensation of Hammer Horror these days we are much more interested in the darker origins and appeals of vampire tales.
Liz Lochhead places her emphasis on the two main women in this story the Westerman sisters Mina and the adolescent, growing into womanhood, Lucy. Dracula's erotic and exotic sexual attraction runs throughout cutting through the social straightjackets the women must wear: their own powerful sexual feelings are released and we are torn between the extremes of destruction and fulfilment. Our own conflict can only be resolved when Dracula (Antony Bunsee) beautifully sacrifices himself for love of Mina a marvellous moment for Bunsee. Love is ultimately a powerful force for good.
The telling of the story has removed all elements of camp (well nearly all) and the multi-layering of the story is excitingly opened up. Drinking of blood, for instance, is not a figment of Stoker's imagination: it has pagan and Christian significance. It has significance in women's menstrual cycles and the manner in which this has been treated at different times. Lochhead and the production do not fight shy of any of these.
Stephen Edward and Uzma Hameed direct: they create an almost operatic style mixing projections, sound, choreography to great effect scenes merge, interlink and overlay. Among all this power I have to admit the crucifix stuff all looks a bit silly but then I suppose we're stuck with that.
Antony Bunsee makes a perfect Count tall, slim, angular features and long dark hair. Katherine Manners shapes Lucy Westerman's journey perfectly: as she falls more and more under the Count's spell so her naked passion draws us tighter and tighter into her story. Bit of a thankless task playing Renfield in some ways, but Matthew Sim makes it count. At times twisted and wracked, at others creating moments of disturbing beauty with the physical skills of a dancer.
Dracula: Antony Bunsee
Van Helsing: Kenneth Gilbert
Arthur Seward: Mark Healy
Nurse Grice/ Nisbett: Linda Jane Holmes
Jonathan Harker: Dominic Marsh
Renfield: Matthew Sim
Florrie Hathersage: Sarah Stanley
Mina Westerman: Poppy Tierney
Directors: Stephen Edwards, Uzma Hameed
Design: Simon Holdsworth
Music Composed and Directed: Kelvin Towse
Choreography: Caimin Collins
Lighting: Tina MacHugh
Sound: Matt McKenzie
Video: Kit Lane, David Phillips
2003-10-26 12:40:03