“Dracula” by A Touring Consortium Theatre Company Production
Nottingham Theatre Royal

Here is a piece of theatre to really get your teeth into. I've always loved the gore of Peter Cushing, Bela Lugosi and especially Christopher Lee, the best Dracula in my opinion, so this was one play that I've been looking forward to.

"Dracula" remains the father of all gothic thrillers but I wondered how this adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel would translate to the stage.

Well I can reveal that it worked really well, and it worked well for several different reasons

“Dracula” is brought to life with Illusions courtesy of Ben Hart, magician and illusion designer. Ben was the Magic Circle’s Young Magician of the Year (2007) and designs extensively special effects for theatre, film and television.

Now I'm not going to reveal what tricks are used but they work really well within the story and used in conjunction with the brilliant lighting affects by Ben Cracknell, it will leave you wondering "how did that happen?"

The lighting, along with the Music and Sound design by Paul Ewin, really creates the jumpiness and the shocks in this dark but quite sexy piece of gothic theatre.

Eduard Lewis directs this new adaptation which is designed by Sean Cavanagh. The set is dark and foreboding with plenty of dry ice creating that Hammer Horror feel.

Cleo Pettitt is the Costume Designer and Sara Green did a sterling job as Movement Director..

Cheryl Campbell plays Lady Renfield, locked away in the mental asylum with an unhealthy diet of flies, spiders and mice

Philip Bretherton, who you may recognise from Coronation Street a few years ago, plays Van Helsing.

Count Dracula was played by Glen Fox, who seems to pop up and then disappear at will.

Olivia Swann makes her professional stage debut as Mina, who manages to be saved just at the last moment despite falling victim of Dracula's late night habits of popping out for a bite.

Andrew Horton was Jonathan Harker, the man sent out to meet the Count and deliver some documents for his move to Whitby. Jonathan is Mina's fiance.

Jessica Webber was wonderful as Lucy as her life blood slowly drained from her body, looking paler and thinner as the play went on.

Evan Milton played Doctor Seward

This production brings the sexy back to gothic darkness and is a thrilling, edge of the seat piece of theatre for anyone who jumps easily.

Being a fan of the Dracula myth, I enjoyed the play, especially the technical side of it. There were no surprises in it for me, but is a bloody good watch, so fangs for an entertaining night of goth horror..

“Dracula” is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 13 October 2018