Dracula
by Bram Stoker (Adapted by Liz Lochhead)

Reviewed by Diana Eccleston for The Croydon Advertiser

This modern adaptation of Bram Stoker’s infamous horror opus really gave Theatre Workshop Coulsdon the chance to get its teeth into some spookily sexy stuff. For the most part, Richard Lloyd’s production was a success, with great use of space, an original and atmospheric score and sound effects composed and played by Mark Taylor plus well-chosen period costumes. It is a wordy piece though, by Scottish poet Liz Lochhead, which demanded concentration. I particularly enjoyed Steve Jacobs as the barking mad but pitiable Renfield, an asylum patient in an insect-eating world of his own and distant worshipper of Lloyd’s full-blooded Count Dracula. Lloyd’s accent sounded great but he didn’t look menacing enough for me, and when he plunged his fangs into the neck of pretty Lucy and Mina it was more comic than erotic terror. Lucy-Ann Martin was just right as the hysterical undead Lucy with Heidi Bush as her delightful and practical sister Mina. Mike Brown was a strong Dr Seward with Luke Argles as Jonathan Harker and Chris Argles as vampire hunter Van Helsing, each turning in competent performances.