Dracula : The Bite is On

“I have a time share in Bognor Regis that’s why I need a castle!”

Dracula

James Daly as Dracula. (Photo: Matt Crockett)

For those old enough to remember the Hammer House of Horrors films, Count Dracula was staple fare, often played by the late Christopher Lee. Beware that Dracula has arisen again in the form of James Daly and apart from his height, he has nothing in common with Lee, except his canines.

The Menier Chocolate Factory have taken this off-Broadway comedy and given it new life. The authors, Gordon Greenberg who also directs, and Steve Rosen, make no excuses, as none are needed, for creating a wildly funny 90 minute enjoyment. Its humour, does to a degree, lean towards the gay scene but this does not detract from what you are seeing. Imagine Dracula, James Daly, as Frank’n’furter from the Rocky Horror Show, only turned up to 10.

Sebastian Torkis as Mina Westfeldt, James Daly as Dracula and Diane Pilkington as Dr Westfeldt (Photo: Matt Crockett)

 The authors have taken the essence of Bram Stocker’s lengthy 1897 novel and hung the play round the story. It is a five person farce with each actor playing so many parts and changing into them immediately. An actor leaves the stage and seconds later, they reappear in costume as another character to audience amazed applause.  It is difficult to name all of their roles. So we have Lucy Westfeldt (Safeena Ladha), the beautiful daughter of Doctor Westfeldt (Dianne Pilkington). She is engaged to Jonathan Harker (Charlie Stemp) an Estate Agent (boos from the audience!) The ugly sister Mina, played by a man (Sebastien Torkia), is a nymphomaniac: all sexes are eligible.

James Daly as Dracula and cast (Photo: Matt Crockett)

The stage, designed by Tijana Bjelajac, is relatively small but hides many secrets: coffins in the walls, an underground tomb and other unexpected props.  The visual jokes work well!  The key to any comedy farce is timing and in this, all of the cast excel, they play so many roles and have costume changes to match, it is hard to keep up. It has been said, “If you don’t like the joke don’t worry there will be another along in a minute”. Any play that has a fully attired bride crossing and recrossing the stage on a scooter can’t be all bad!

There are a fair number of farces on in London at this time with varying degrees of success, but this is definitely worth a visit. In reviewing this comedy, it is important to reflect how the audience reacted; very quickly they laughed and continued throughout. I heard people say they wanted to see it again. I think the Menier Chocolate Factory have a success on their hands.

Cast of Dracula. (Photo: Matt Crockett)

Production Notes

Dracula a Comedy of Terrors

Adapted by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen

After the novel by Bram Stoker

Directed by Gordon Greenberg

Cast

Starring:

Charlie Stemp

Dianne Pilkington

Sebastien Torkia

Safeena Ladha

James Daly

Creatives

Director:  Gordon Greenberg

Set Designer:  Tijana Bjelajac

Costume Designer:  Tristan Raines

Composer: Victoria Deiorio

Lighting Designer:  Ben Cracknell

Sound Designer: Yvonne Gilbert

Information

Running Time: One hour 30 minutes without an interval

Booking to 3rd May 2025

Theatre: 

Menier Chocolate Factory

4 O’Meara Street

London SE1 1TE

020 7378 1713

 

Tube: London Bridge

Reviewed by Malcolm Beckett

at the Chocolate Factory

on 20th March 2025