Presented by: Blackwood Players
Reviewed: 15 September, 2023
Blackwood Players are trying a slightly different direction with their latest production, Dracula. After a number of years presenting comedies, they have gone down the drama path settling on a good old fashioned Gothic horror.
When we think of classic Gothic horror, two undeniable icons raise their frightening heads: Frankenstein’s Monster and Dracula. Both of these horrors have appeared in numerous films and stage adaptations with many famous actors playing the blood sucking vampire – the most notable probably being Bella Lugosi and Christopher Lee. The range of treatments have varied throughout the years from the classic Universal film (Dracula) and various Hammer Horror versions through to comedy (Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (Dracula co-stars), Love At First Bite) and send-up (Mel Brooks’ Dracula: Dead And Loving It) and many, many stage versions, including a brand new one to be presented by the Sydney Theatre Company in 2024 – all of course based (albeit some very loosely) on Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel.
The version being presented by the Players is a 1927 revision by John L Balderstone of Hamilton Deane’s 1924 stage version (the very first ever produced). The action all takes place in England once Dracula has arrived and the novel’s character of Mina has already been done away with. Yes, it’s an expurgated version but with a clever twist very relevant to today’s thinking. I could reveal it, but that would be a ‘grave’ mi’stake’.
This production won’t have you jumping in your seats (except when there are some very loud sound effects and a couple of beautiful blood curdling screams from a couple of the characters); but thanks to Damien White’s choice of staying away from a melodramatic style of direction by having the cast play scenes realistically, this very wordy play is never boring and totally believable.
Shannon Gray as the virginally white clad heroine Lucy gives a wonderful, almost somnambulistic performance. Her outer worldliness stare as she gradually has her blood drained demands our sympathy from her very first entrance. As her fiancee, Jonathan Harker, Nicholas Champion is indeed a true champion and is very impressive. He gives his character a marvellous ‘real’ quality, being every inch of his towering height the handsome, steadfast hero the story needs. The famous fly-eating lunatic, Renfield, is given every physical nuance and hysterical screech that Jabez Retallick can muster without going over the top. His is a wonderfully energetic performance, just as it should be.
Cherylene O’Brien is superbly mysterious and even ominous as Dr Van Helsing and along with Rebecca Gardner as Madame Szgany deliver two great accents. These two ladies are hypnotic to watch.
As Dr Seward, Eleanor Mae Lawson needs to be more assertive and come away from her desk far more frequently. By remaining behind furniture most of the time, she is blocked from view by the other actors and causes them to have to turn their backs on half the audience to speak to her, so we tend to miss what they are saying.
The cast are rounded off by Eryn Kralj (Maid) and Noah Taverner (Attendant) who both give delightful characterisations. Taverner just needs to slow down his dialogue a little, but this could have been opening night nerves.
The production does have a couple of faults, mainly technical but these can probably be put down to the disadvantages of having to share a Community Hall with other Community groups and hopefully will improve over the season. Also, some audience members towards the front left-hand side of the hall can see right through to the backstage area which can be very distracting.
Overall, Blackwood Players’ production of Dracula has a bite to it and doesn’t suck (only your blood!).
Reviewed by Brian Godfrey
Photo credit: supplied
Venue: Blackwood Memorial Hall
Season: Until September 30, 2023
Tickets: From $25.00
Bookings: https://www.blackwoodplayers.com/
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