DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS. Two-act show. Written by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen. Directed by Wayne Hendricks. Presented by Milnerton Players. At The Milnerton Playhouse. Fridays and Saturdays, 17 August until 8 September, 2024. SHEILA CHISHOLM survived the sinking of SS Stoker.
Setting the atmosphere for an eerie evening ahead with bloodthirsty Count Dracula (James Lister) and his potential victims, was Milnerton Playhouse’s foyer. Half-light revealed dozens of creepy bats, wads of cobwebs, outsize spiders offset by shrunken skulls, black candles, grave stones and other ghoulish horrors.
Grabbing a glass of wine before fleeing into the auditorium brought little relief. Hema Maskowitz’ deep violet lighting lent a mysterious effect to the mist-covered stage. Black draped ‘flats’ extended that haunted feeling begun by the foyer’s graveyard decor. Howling wolves from Wayne Hendricks and Camry Sanderson’s soundscapes stretched nerves to their limit. But clever inclusion of popular songs (Pink Panther etc) eased the chill to give way to nervous giggles.
Dracula began with The Prologue. Standing in individual spotlights the cast introduced their names and multiple roles. Kyle McLachlan took the parts of Harker, Lucy’s (Jasmine Hazi), timorous fiancé. In a hat trick and different tongues, Harker played Suitors/ Bosun/ Gravedigger. In a brilliant display of quick costume and character changes Grace Brain took the parts of Lucy and Mina’s father Dr Westfeldt and witch-doctorish Benfield and Captain of sinking ship SS Stoker.
Blood-transfusions
Ingrid Penzhorn played two diametrically opposite parts. First seen as Lucy’s blousy, lovelorn sister Mina. She then switched to an authoritative German performance, as doctor Van Helsing (accent et al). Called to save Mina, in one of the most hilarious bedroom scenes, she and Lucy accomplished blood-transfusions from their veins into Mina,s effectively replacing her blood loss that Dracula had sucked out.
Over and above her dynamic, sensible Lucy, Hazi played busy-bee housemaid Kitty and Driver of a horse driven carriage… watch for those ‘natty ride-a-cock-horses.’
Using his East European accent to advantage, Lister, oozed dangerous sex appeal. Dressed in tight leather breeches, white frilly-shirt, brocade waistcoats, toreador style cloak flourishing, fangs replacing canines and wandering fingers, not surprisingly Mina couldn’t resist him while Lucy, ever loyal to Harker, could.
Authors Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen based their late 19tth century play on Bram Stoker’s fictional character Dracula who through his pact with the devil remains immortal.
This play unfolds through Act 1’s eight natty scenes and 12 in the second. Each one necessitated furniture, and the backstage crew are highly commended for the speed and efficiency with which they handled swopping props and bed around. Occasionally they also filled in as voiceless guests.
An experienced director, Hendricks had the benefit of selecting an experienced and talented crew to cast them in characters well-suited to their natural abilities. Together this team created a fast, slick, well-rehearsed five star performance. Looking for an evening outing with a difference. Book Dracula tickets at Quicket.
What: Dracula review Milnerton Players
When: Fridays, Saturdays, until 8 September 2024
Where: The Milnerton Playhouse Cape Town
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