The Death of Dracula: Vampires and Bats for Hallowe’en.

The myth of various forms of “undead” creatures, who survive by feeding on their victims’ blood, has existed for millennia. The word “vampire” was first used in English literature early in the 18^th century. Early in the next century, John Polidori was frequently credited with developing the genre in his 1819 novella, The Vampyre. But it was Bram Stoker’s Gothic horror novel, Dracula, that has left the most enduring mark on tales of the undead since its publication in 1897.

In The Death of Dracula, first produced in 1979, playwright Warren Graves has taken Stoker’s characters and adapted part of the storyline of the novel for the stage.

The Phoenix Players’ production of the melodramatic tale, clearly timed to complement Hallowe’en events, is carefully directed by Jo-Ann McCabe as a period piece.

Enhanced by David Speck’s soundscape and Stewart Zeyl’s lighting, the billowing curtains and mandatory French windows of McCabe’s set create the appropriate ambience and the set change from office to vault is well handled.

The very wordy and lengthy exposition makes most of the first act heavy going, despite a fine performance from André Dimitrijevic as medical specialist and vampire expert Van Helsing. Dimitrijevic’s matter-of-fact approach and low-key realism are totally convincing.

By contrast, Ron Langton plays the crazed patient Renfield with suitably broad strokes. While the remaining cast members appear clear about the requirements of their characterizations, performances are sometimes stilted. This combined with awkward silences occasioned by lost lines further slows the pace.

However, vampire-myth enthusiasts will no doubt be entertained by this production of The Death of Dracula.

Phoenix Players’ production of The Death of Dracula continues at the Gladstone Theatre to November 3.

By Warren Graves

Phoenix Players

Director and set designer: Jo-Ann McCabe

Sound: David Speck

Lighting: Stewart Zeyl

Cast:

Van Helsing…………………………………………André Dimitrijevic

Renfield……………………………………………..Ron Langston

Seward………………………………………………William Morrison

Mina…………………………………………………Brigitte Aubé-Harrison

Lucy…………………………………………………Tina Prud’homme

Arthur………………………………………………..Aaron Lajeunesse

Jonathan……………………………………………..Jake William Smith

Dracula………………………………………………Bill Brown

Undertaker…………………………………………..Art King