Dracula

Dracula

Sidmouth Amateur Dramatic Society

By Bram Stoker

Dramatised for the stage by Hamilton Deane & John L Balderston

Directed by Steve Yarnall

Lighting & Sound – Tony Hill

The Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sidmouth

Thursday 7th October 2021

‘Tricia Barclay

NODA SW Representative District 6

 

This production, originally planned for October 2020, was billed as “prepared to be scared” and this was certainly the case from the word go!

On entering the auditorium members of the audience were greeted by a trio of “zombie” like young ladies in striking costumes and make-up, staring intimidatingly, but with completely blank expressions. Staying in character the whole time their menacing demeanour, together with the pulsating heartbeat sound effect and background ghostly whispering adding to the unnerving atmosphere, compelled the audience to quickly take their seats.

The Tabs opened to a stunning set depicting a typical drawing-room of the time, with a solid fireplace stage right, attractive furniture and all beautifully dressed. The setting was a sanitorium run by Dr Seward which was also his home, and where he lived with his daughter Lucy, but It was soon apparent that all was not well! A friend of Lucy’s had died recently in mysterious circumstances and the Doctor was concerned as his daughter was beginning to display similar symptoms. Renfield a patient in the sanatorium was also behaving in a strange manner and Dr Seward decided to enlist the help of Professor Van Helsing, an expert from Holland with a knowledge of the supernatural. Into this mix comes their eccentric neighbour Count Dracula, newly arrived from Transylvania, his affable and congenial manner obviously concealing a more menacing agenda from the outset! Van Helsing soon deduces that Dracula is the villain of the piece and together with the Doctor and Lucy’s fiancée John Harker they set about plotting his demise.

Dracula made an impressive first entrance, his make-up and costume causing a spontaneous gasp of astonishment around the auditorium, his connection and rapport with Lucy was evident from the start.

All the cast played their parts with commitment and sincerity and did extremely well with a very wordy and often quite repetitive script, it must have been difficult occasionally not to get trapped into a loop. Both the Doctor and John showed quiet but genuine concern for Lucy throughout, and Van Helsing a dogged determination to unmask and get his man!

 Dracula switched convincingly from being the friendly, helpful neighbour to the dark and foreboding villain of the piece – his expressions needing no interpretation! Lucy gave a very mature performance which belied her years, pale and sickly at one moment then literally “dressed to kill” the next, as she bewitchingly tried to lure her fiancée to the dark side.

 As the lunatic, Renfield at times brought moments of light relief, but certainly the role was not played for laughs, he was convincing in his confusion and his fears genuine, and his delivery was as clear as a bell.

The roles of the maid and the sanitorium attendant complemented the ensemble and both conveyed a strong feeling of being part of the household as they went about their duties.

The costumes were well chosen for the piece, and it was obvious that a lot of thought, hard work and planning had been given to the lighting, sound, and special effects – all very cleverly executed.

The European accents for the Professor and the Count were sustained all through and did not detract from the dialogue as can sometimes be the case. On occasion the action was a tad too much upstage and hidden behind the chaise, but clever use was made of the orchestra pit disguised behind a false wall for the entrance to the crypt towards the end.

Written in three Acts the Director made the right choice in placing the Interval after Act II and using the tension at this point to keep everyone in suspense. This did though make for a noticeably short second half and at this performance the sudden ending, although dramatic, seemed to leave this audience wanting more!

However full marks to the Society for an entertaining, enthralling, and well-presented production with a difference!

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what they see at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is inevitable that their assessment will be affected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular the performance viewed.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

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