Written by David Innes and Rob Lloyd. Directed by Rob Lloyd.
A story of a young man who travels to Transylvania to meet the infamous Count Dracula. A tale that has been adapted, transformed, parodied, sequelled, theatre restaurant-ed and, frankly, done-to-death. This show pays homage to the various adaptations that have existed and makes the harrowing tale of vampires into a simply delightful romp. Photos by James Chew. |
Cast and Crew
DAVID S. INNES
Jonathan Harker Lucy Westenra Renfield Lady Westenra Quincey Holmwood Writer Sound Design |
ROBERT LLOYD
Dracula Professor Van Helsing Writer - Lyrics "The Demeter Shanty" Director Flipchart Designer and Illustrator |
JENNIFER SPEIRS
Mina Harker |
SAM DUNCAN: Technical Director
MUSIC: Caleb Garfinkel ORIGINAL POSTER: Caitlin Yolland PHOTOGRAPHY: James Chew VIDEOGRAPHY: Nick Hill |
About the Show
PRODUCTION HISTORY
25 - 31st March 2019, The Butterfly Club, Melbourne.
HISTORY
Inspired by the adaptation of Journey to the Centre of the Earth, the pair looked for another book that had many adaptations to make homages to. Dracula was the logical choice, having been turned into countless film, theatre and television versions. One of the changes in format was the incorporate Fun Facts segments, as these were a popular aspect of the one-off Tribute Shows.
One of the decisions that was made early on in the writing process was to accentuate the heroic nature of Mina Harker, as she is in the novel, rather than the typical damsel in distress you might find in other adaptations. Another decision that was made was to cast another actor to play Mina Haker, as neither Innes nor Lloyd felt it did the character justice if it was just them in a silly wig. Enter Jennifer Speirs, who had worked with Rob Lloyd in his Star Wars tribute show The Heart Awakens. Jen provided a fresh new dynamic to the Innes Lloyd team. She could be the heroic focal point, whilst both Innes and Lloyd can play up the grotesques that feature in the story.
Caleb Garfinkel was brought in to provide backing tracks for songs used throughout the show, including the memorable Botany Bay parody summarising the Voyage of the Demeter.
25 - 31st March 2019, The Butterfly Club, Melbourne.
HISTORY
Inspired by the adaptation of Journey to the Centre of the Earth, the pair looked for another book that had many adaptations to make homages to. Dracula was the logical choice, having been turned into countless film, theatre and television versions. One of the changes in format was the incorporate Fun Facts segments, as these were a popular aspect of the one-off Tribute Shows.
One of the decisions that was made early on in the writing process was to accentuate the heroic nature of Mina Harker, as she is in the novel, rather than the typical damsel in distress you might find in other adaptations. Another decision that was made was to cast another actor to play Mina Haker, as neither Innes nor Lloyd felt it did the character justice if it was just them in a silly wig. Enter Jennifer Speirs, who had worked with Rob Lloyd in his Star Wars tribute show The Heart Awakens. Jen provided a fresh new dynamic to the Innes Lloyd team. She could be the heroic focal point, whilst both Innes and Lloyd can play up the grotesques that feature in the story.
Caleb Garfinkel was brought in to provide backing tracks for songs used throughout the show, including the memorable Botany Bay parody summarising the Voyage of the Demeter.
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REVIEWS:
"Innes Lloyd's Dracula is a delightful show that deserves big audiences. Innes and Lloyd are supremely comfortable comedians, in complete control of their performances, often choosing to briefly step out of character to acknowledge audience reactions. The duo, and indeed the equally talented Jennifer Speirs, create a warm vibe that makes the audience feel like they're along for a quality adventure, one that is sure to enrich their engagement with the intriguing world of vampire fantasy." - Aridhi Anderson, Weekend Notes. "This piece was both adapted for the stage and directed by powerhouse duo Innes and Lloyd, and incorporates an uncapped amount of intelligent themes, innumerable conventions and a cohesive framework of vignettes and transitions that keep the vivacious performance flowing seamlessly. An amalgamation of signs and sound effects, physical comedy and caricature, slapstick and melodrama, this show has it all; and never does it let you scoot your boot an inch back on your chair due to its hooking you in with its blood-sucking bite and enticing you with its nether worldly charm. Separated into chapters of the tale of Mina – the often under looked heroine – and her dealings with Dracula, spaced with fun trivia minutes to give us an understanding of the interpretations, reimaginations and common misconceptions of the man, the beast and the legend, the audience are taken on a rollercoaster of hilarious antics similar to that of a quality Monty Python sketch meets The Three Stooges, bringing that charmingly dry English comedy in a very Australian way." - Theatrepeople. |