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鈥業t鈥檚 a novel that singlehandedly transformed and shaped our modern notion of vampirism. Vampire is Dracula, Dracula is vampire鈥� 鈥� Caitlin Whiteley, Teacher of English.
Bram Stoker鈥檚 infamous Count Dracula (1987)鈥攕aid to be based on 15th Century ruler 鈥榁lad the Impaler鈥欌�攄ebuted as a musical in 2001, though saw its very first performance on 性世界传媒鈥檚 New Bury stage last week. Themes running throughout the novel epitomise the fears prevailing throughout 19th Century Victorian society鈥攊mmorality, evil, foreignness鈥攎aking it quite fitting that the play, according to Director of Music Neil Matthews, boasts a score which instantly transports its audience to a 鈥榖leak Transylvanian landscape鈥�.
A story which tackles the timeless themes of horror, passion, life and death, lust and bloodless, it was set to be a roaring, dramatic success. The cast, stage crew, and directing staff certainly delivered, doing justice to the work of three greats: Frank Wildhorn (who also wrote scores for famous musicals such as Jekyll & Hyde and Carmen, as well as popular titles for Witney Houston), Don Black, and Christopher Hampton.
Congratulations to the cast who, in the works of Director of Drama Luke Gasper, 鈥榯hrew themselves into the challenge of balancing highly emotive lyrics and a 鈥淓urovisionesque鈥� musical sound world, keeping hold of the elements of horror that are so synonymous with the story whilst avoiding the trapdoor of the Hanmer era or Sesame Street鈥�. A special mention goes to those students who held principal roles: Henry B, Lexi L, Sam DC, Daisy B, Katie K, Ollie A, Finn P, Daniel C.
An excellent achievement all round for the entire student cast, stage crew, and Drama department.
We look forward to our upcoming productions this year, including Seussical The Musical!聽
