It was a joy to witness the fabulous, electrifying, well-crafted production of Dracula as a school, the experience with the intention to not only educate us but to transport us into a spine-chilling, sinister Gothic world. On Tuesday 12th November 2024, 40 A-Level English Literature and Theatre students had the thrilling treat of witnessing The Black-eyed Theatre Company’s performance of the timeless tale, Dracula, adapted by Nick Lane, but originally written by Bram Stoker. Upon entering the Arena Theatre in Wolverhampton, we were engulfed into an unnerving atmosphere due to the intimacy of the setting, with excitement and fear overwhelming us as we patiently anticipated the arrival of the Count. Before the performance even began, a beautiful yet minimalistic set was posed in front of us, complimented brilliantly by a powerful and haunting soundscape. The sheer versatility of the set became even more evident as the production went on, creating smooth transitions between locations as we travelled beyond the walls of the theatre into the gloom of Transylvania and later to the bleak city of London. As time dissipated whilst we waited for the show to begin, the lights grew even more dim and fog began to suffocate the wooden set, ambushing our vision to conceal the darkest parts of the stage, before it was inhabited by the actors, to enhance the impending terror that gushed through our veins. Piercing red roses and green foliage climbed the wooden set, the crimson colour of the flowers foreboding to a loss of life, symbolic of blood and fear, yet also of love, enticing the audience even more to want to know why it was a rose and its cutting vines that was chosen to strangle the wooden walls of the set. Footsteps grew louder on the uneven cobblestone surface as the actors crowded the stage. A wonderful cast of six allowed for a divine telling of the tale, with a magnificent portrayal of all the characters, using the technique of multi-rolling to bring them all to life, with great use of physical and vocal skills, paired with gorgeous costume pieces which fully encapsulated the Victorian Era, allowing for all characters to be easily distinguished. Unease and terror were indefinitely felt in the intense scene of the almost endless voyage, where one by one each member of the crew perished in the lonely waters due to the works of supernatural forces, a key Gothic trope. Count Dracula’s presence grew even more ominous throughout as he feverishly stole the lives of his victims, with Lucy losing herself due to his satanic compulsion of her mind. It felt as if our fate also laid in the hands of the Count as his presence made us all shiver. Choral moments heightened the eeriness of the production, the use of coffins and stray-jackets key examples of the mental torment being faced. Moments of love between Mina and Lucy, Mina and Jonathan, and Lucy and her love interests revealed the beauty and complexity of each relationship on stage, chemistry easily undeniable between the actors.
Without a doubt, the Blackeyed Theatre Company’s touring production of Dracula is a must-see, perfectly telling the famous Gothic tale. Talented actors were able to use their physicality to bring the production to another level, flood lighting and the versatile set-pieces and props projecting the main message of how vampirism leads to the downfall of man. It was a great learning experience for all students and staff, expanding our repertoire of Gothic texts to deepen our understanding. And, undoubtedly, the crowd erupted into a deafening applause as the brilliance could not go unnoticed, elation ensnaring the senses, the buzz after leaving the theatre being almost indescribable. It was a pleasure to be in the same room as the impeccable cast, and it would indeed be an honour to witness a Blackeyed Theatre Production again. So, make sure to look out for a chance to see the production, you will indeed not be disappointed!
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