Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors - Menier Chocolate Factory Review
James Daly and Charlie Stemp in Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors. Photo by Matt Crockett
Written by Cathie for Theatre & Tonic
Dracula is one of the most well-known horrors of modern literature and is renowned as being one of the most often adapted novels to the stage and silver screen. The count is known as the prince of darkness, a lord of hell and unspeakably evil and ever more bloodthirsty in his actions. However, Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen have instead thrown Dracula into the limelight and shaken his story to create a satirical parody of our familiar dread lord. Transferring from a sell-out run off Broadway, Dracula A Comedy of Terrors now makes it home in the Menier Chocolate Factory. In a similar vein to Rocky Horror, Young Frankenstein and the Carry On films, everything you know about Dracula is thrown in the air and this version feels like an affectionate campy tribute to Dracula but in a distinctly American radio comedy way. This would also be a perfect show for Christmas as an alternative gothic panto to contrast the glittering scenes of more traditional styles.
Stoker’s novel is infamous for using many characters and having very long sections to this story but this has been greatly condensed into having five actors on stage portray a mere dozen characters. The cast of this play are truly fantastic and had me in so much laughter throughout I had a stitch afterwards. James Daly is the Adonis version of Dracula, with the menace deliberately toned down to create a slapstick sex obsessed Dracula who is searching to regain purpose in the face of immortal ennui. Daly is the only American on set who transferred with this play and his striking charisma and charm forms an excellent foil for the rest of the cast. This is at its most humorous during Harker and Westfeldt’s struggles with temptation in the lead up to their wedding. Charlie Stemp as Jonathon Harker was impeccable in his comedic timing and masterfully flexed his satirical skills in a way that had the entire audience guffawing loudly. Sebastien Torkia as Mina Harker and a genderbent Van Helsing were the absolute highlight of this play and played with excellent nuance and style. Safeena Ladha as Lucy Westfelt was a phenomenal comedic force on stage as the empowered heroine and utilised every comedic pun to the fullest. Dianne Pilkington as Dr Westfelt and Reinfield was utterly captivating and her lightning quick costume changes were cheered loudly by the audience throughout as they became ever speedier. Each are brilliant in their own right but have excellent chemistry together to create a bloodthirsty comedy force majeur.
The set design (Tijana Bjelajac) worked well to add both mystery and extra humour into the play as the style was very reminiscent to vintage night clubs, and the ingenious way of showcasing the change of locations with lit up models was a wonderful detail. The DIY effects, including cans of smoke and the 80’s styled bat wings were especially fun as well. The wigs (Betty Marini) used to showcase Mina Harker in particular deserve mention for they added a great deal of silliness to the show, along with the inventive costuming by Tristan Raines. Ben Cracknell’s lighting design in conjunction with Yvonne Gilbert’s sound design also added superbly to the disco comedy horror atmosphere of the evening and encouraged the audience’s laughter and gasps often.
At a 90 minutes running time much of the plot has been simplified and edited a great deal and most of the darker elements of the story and any jump points have been removed. What this show lacks in menace however, it makes up for in campy mischief. If you are looking for the darkly edged and horrifying version of Dracula that chills your blood this version is not for you. If you are looking for a light hearted comedy satire that will speedily lift you out of winter doldrums and have you ready for spring shenanigans then this is the perfect play for you.
At Menier Chocolate Factory until 3 May 2025
★ ★ ★ ★
