Dracula

Shake and Stir have presented their own new adaptation of the classic Bram Stoker horror story.  Co adaptors Nelle Lee and Nick Skubij, who also played lead roles, Dracula and Mina, have given the tale a fresh new feel, with a clever design using a highly effective stage revolve.

The settings of both Victorian England during the Industrial Revolution and The Castle of Dracula in Transylvania were portrayed brilliantly in the stage design by Josh McIntosh, using the main set piece of the revolving staircase for the Dracula’s Castle, the Mansion of Lucy and Mina and Dr Jonathon Seward’s Asylum. Lighting and Sound Effects by Jason Glenwright and Guy Webster gave an eerie feel and made the audience jump with claps of thunder as The Count appeared.

Dressing the actors, Costumer Designer Leigh Buchanan has excelled, from the period suits and coats the younger men wear, to the extravagant corseted 1800’s style dresses which Lucy and Mina so elegantly paraded around in. Specifically, though, the cape and suit Dracula wore at the start of the play suited the older version, whilst moving to England, the transition into a more Gothic black leather ensemble gave a great look to the titled character.

Nick Skubij as the Count gave a dark, overbearing portrayal of the well-known character. The older gentleman version was quite scary on stage as he stalked Jonathon Harker’s every move. The accent Nick used at times wasn’t very clear, and lacked volume. The younger full of blood version was also frightening, while his movement in the fight scene looked amazing.

Adele Querol played the volatile Lucy brilliantly. As Lucy becomes Dracula’s victim, her transformation to Nosferatu occurs quite rapidly through her physical portrayal and the delivery of her dialogue. Lucy also had some of the lighter and slightly comical moments in the play and Adele made the most of these.

The other actor to mention was seasoned professional David Whitney, playing both the insane Renfield, locked up in his cell (we only ever see his face) and the Doctor/Vampire hunter Van Helsing. David’s accent and delivery of character were a real highlight of the show. His complete change from Renfield to Van Helsing was terrific, and along with Skubij his movement in the fight scene was outstanding.

Direction of the piece by Michael Futcher was highlighted in the use of his actors’ movement and the emotional performances he unearthed from all cast. The use of pyrotechnics gave an added wow factor in certain areas of the play to.

If you know and love the tale of Dracula, you’re in for a treat. If not it will be an entertaining introduction to the horror classic.

James Russell

Photographer: Dylan Evans.