Yvonne Arnaud – until 8th February 2025
Reviewed by Heather Chalkley
3***
Nick Lane has adapted the well known Bram Stoker novel in a unique way, giving a different perspective to the traditional story. Based in Victorian England, during the height of the British Empire, Lane draws on unusual parallels with the plight of the lower classes and the powerlessness of woman.
This slick and well rehearsed production delivers a faultless performance. The cast transition smoothly between acts, moving the set into position effortlessly. Giving Maya-Nika Bewley the main narrative role as Mina Harker, who pulls the story together and then the traditionally male role of Doctor Hennessey, provides a refreshing strength of female character not usually present in Dracula. Bewley offers some relief from the intense story with moments of humour as Doctor Hennessey. In the same way, the contrasting roles of Lucy Westenra and Renfield, were confidently played by Marie Osman. In the novel, Dracula becomes younger as he feeds on his victims and this was portrayed well by the change of actors in each act. Harry Rundle played convincingly the challenging role of the youngest Dracula and the complete opposite character of Arthur Holmwood.
You can be forgiven for losing track of the timeline and setting, where the production takes a purist approach to the original book’s narrative of letters, newspaper cuttings and other similar devices. It is a valiant choice of the director and adaptor Lane, that does not 100% come off. Whilst you are focusing on the spoken letters read by one character, written by another for another, you can forget where you are in the story line right now!
You have to admire Blackeye Theatre for taking on this epic story in these frugal times, when arts funding is hard to come by. This is a reflection of the company’s professionalism and creativity as they celebrate their 20th year of producing thought provoking performances.