Dracula, The Final Countdown?

The first note I have is to praise The Young Oxted Players for is this hilarious spoof script.  Geoff Bamber has written a true gem, achingly and laugh-out-loud funny.   I have not been privileged to have seen this put on elsewhere, which made this immensely funny evening all the more enjoyable.  I applaud the choice of this short, but stimulating show for your richly talented young players.    It is very reassuring and satisfying to see so very many really young actors in our area who so love being on stage and who have the dedication to their craft as was so evident tonight.

One very young budding star I noticed at first was the splendid Francesca Wright who gave us a Beatrice to relish - such presence, timing and diction.   Top class Francesca!    Another in similar vein was the delightful Grace Rumsey, playing Mina Hawkins and exuding soft furnishing agonies.  A ‘mwah mwah kissy kissy’ from fully six feet apart  enacted with showbiz "luvvie" fake was given by Grace and by Jessica Bartholomew as Lucy Westenra, again played with much artistry.

A delightful feature of this production  were the music hall style interludes which were the brainchild of the imaginative assistant show director Sophie MacTavish as generously credited by overall show director Chris Bassett.   These two people, Chris, highly experienced and Sophie, who is still very young, but whose ideas do her credit, made a massive input on the whole show.   Young Evan Moynihan as the MC exuded outstanding presence and comedic quality.

Joel Wall, still a teenager, but playing the rather well bred solicitor Jonathan Harker as if born to the role is a special talent, as all at the Barn Theatre are well aware.   Matching his awesome talent was Sam Oxlade as Dr. Acula AKA Count Dracula himself, resplendent in magnificent costume and make up and a wonderfully sustained Dracula accent.   These two young players are destined for much stage glory in the years to come.    Joel and Sam  elevated an otherwise very good show to a level even higher! 

A host of other young players showcased their every last ounce of talent, dedication and sheer energy.    Prominent among these were the following - Anna Rastelli as the "ghastly hag" (to quote her own programme notes) Igoretta, giving a compelling performance;  Alex MacTavish as Peter Hawkins, a Yorkshire accented father to Mina and distinctly opposed to "loafing";  Brides of Dracula one and two played by Elena Vinall and Zoe Morgan respectively with "hideous" fascination ;  Dr. Andrew Remington played by Louis Spanton and revelling in curing "loopy" people.    Gloriously non-PC, and all the better for it, is this script!

Yet another spoof stereotype was Sergeant Crabtree presuming "all you Doctor-types had been to University" (and therefore knew how to speak Bulgarian!) - priceless!  -  especially in the droll hands of an older member Luke Grizzell – a mere 18 years old.

A word of praise for the casting- it was obvious a great deal of thought had gone into who played which character and all were well cast.

The backstage folk were also top class.   Sets were excellent and detailed, most realistically. Designer / builder Mike Sutton and other willing company members should feel proud of what they provided!  Costumes too were of good quality and suitable for the many roles.    Dracula's was very special and this key lead role - and the player himself - were nothing short of wonderful!.   Janet Beatty, Patti Thomas - Verweij take the credit for these and so must Natalie Bassett and Beckie Wilkes for super hair and make-up.  John Chinnock on sound gave us "howlingly" good sound effects and this standard was matched by Richard Grogan and Alistair Bruce on lighting.  My only gripe was with the slightly uncomfortable to watch - even though effective - flashing proscenium arch lights.   A little less would have sufficed.

All in all, this production was another "howling" success for The Young Oxted Players.   I would only add that if any parents of talented and stage struck young people in the area want their child to learn all about performing and to progress quickly, get them to join this wonderful company tout de suite!

The backstage folk were also top class.   Sets were excellent and detailed, most realistically. Designer / builder Mike Sutton and other willing company members should feel proud of what they provided!  Costumes too were of good quality and suitable for the many roles.    Dracula's was very special and this key lead role - and the player himself - were nothing short of wonderful!.   Janet Beatty, Patti Thomas - Verweij take the credit for these and so must Natalie Bassett and Beckie Wilkes for super hair and make-up.  John Chinnock on sound gave us "howlingly" good sound effects and this standard was matched by Richard Grogan and Alistair Bruce on lighting.  My only gripe was with the slightly uncomfortable to watch - even though effective - flashing proscenium arch lights.   A little less would have sufficed.

All in all, this production was another "howling" success for The Young Oxted Players.   I would only add that if any parents of talented and stage struck young people in the area want their child to learn all about performing and to progress quickly, get them to join this wonderful company tout de suite!

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