The Dracula Spectacula
by John Gardiner

Reviewed by L.S. for The Croydon Advertiser

Rave-up finale adds to the bite

Bram Stoker might be rapping his coffin lid in protest – or in merry approval – at sight of his bloodsucking Count quick-changing on stage (but shielded by his cloak) from elegant dress clothes into the glitter-pants of a rock star.

Certainly he would be echoing the beat of Andrew Parr’s catchy music in Theatre Workshop Coulsdon’s send-up “The Dracula Spectacula” (to be repeated tomorrow), even if, through imperfect diction from some of the players, he misses the best of John Gardiner’s inventive book.

“Fangtastic” it all is, with over 50 workshop members contributing to a show as remarkable for its inspired lighting (even the proscenium arch is edged with twinkling lamps) as for its musical score and its enterprising production by Rosemary Swinscoe and Tim Andrews.

Steven Swinscoe is in fine singing voice in the straight romantic part of Nick the Action Man, partnered by Jane Andrews as Nadia Naive, whose marble neck is bared for dracula’s incisors. But Christopher J.C. Argles could afford to ham his count more in line with the traditional stage villain, though he looks the part well enough, and I am afraid I heard little of what Maureen Hoy (Countess Wraith) was talking about.

Not to be ignored is Terry Cockell’s colourful graphics projected on to a gauze curtain separating musicians from actors – nor Marc Weston’s American asides to the audience “Yuk” and “Know what I mean?”

Departing from Bram Stoker’s story, it is Dracula who wins in the end and hurtles the whole cast into a sort of disco rave-up, thereby sending us happily home after, to misquote from the script, “having only been here for the fear.”

Cast Details:

Miss Nadia Naive

Jane Andrews

Marc Weston

Marvin

Martin Cole

Julie

Terry Cockell

The Pilot

Robin Hunt

Landau; Glublick Villager; Zombie Men

Bob Baker

Hans

Tim Young

Gretel

Lesley Argles

Nick

Steven Swinscoe

Father O’Stake

Paul Cooper

Dracula

Christopher Argles

Countess Wraith

Maureen Hoy

Gengis

Cliff Palmer

Glublick Villager

Olivia Turner

Glublick Villager

Clare Loosemore

Glublick Villager

Judy Munn

Glublick Villager; Zombie Men

Robin Hunt

Glublick Villager; Zombie Men

Gary Turner

Glublick Villager

Tim Warner

Glublick Villager

Nils Lav

Glublick Villager

Clive Mumford