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Dracula: Review

Bram Stoker’s Gothic masterpiece boasts action-packed drama to rival most, charting the eponymous vampire’s struggle to recruit an army of ‘undead’ disciples in the face of Jonathan Harker and his companions’ dogged opposition.

Brian McMahon, James O’Neill and Emma Whipday have brilliantly condensed the novel’s bewilderingly complicated plot and often watery dialogue, whilst still retaining its incredible power to disturb. Sadly though, its realisation often fails to convince and lacks pace.

The acting, at times, is excellent. Laurence Ridgway plays the awkward Arthur Holmwood with a scrupulous attention to detail and a convincing touch of humour. Sam Bright, as Jonathan Harker, also fulfils the role of the reticent Victorian gentleman with ease. Chris Thursten is compellingly measured and professional as Dr Seward, while Chelsea Walker seems unnervingly believable as a possessed Lucy Westenra. Drew Darr, or Renfield the lunatic, is utterly transfixing and marvellously dexterous in his characterisation.

But Renfield should not be the star, and the play cannot afford a merely creepy Count Dracula. Nor, indeed, does the cast gel: Walker largely carried her own murder scene herself. There is a fundamental lack of energy and urgency. The male protagonists don’t seem to understand the enormity of losing their immortal souls, and the damsels are just not distressed enough.

‘Dracula’ has huge potential; as yet, however, it really lacks bite.

MANSFIELD COLLEGE CHAPEL
Tuesday- Saturday 7th Week

Three stars

 

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