Dracula : The Bite is On
“I have a time share in Bognor Regis that’s why I need a castle!”
Dracula

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.

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.

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.

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