Sharpen your fangs, as the multi-award winning theatre company shake & stir theatre co are back to swoop the country in a comprehensive national tour with their gripping, critically-acclaimed production of Bram Stoker’s gothic masterpiece Dracula.
Created and adapted by one of Australia’s leading contemporary theatre companies, this critically acclaimed adaptation of Bram Stoker’s 1897 horror-classic is every bit as tortured and charismatic as the novel. The 2015 premiere season of the work garnered stellar five-star reviews and attracted five Matilda Awards nominations including Best Mainstage Production.
When young lawyer Jonathan Harker visits Castle Dracula deep within the Carpathian mountains, he’s not expecting the strange hospitality he receives from his mysterious host. Alone and trapped within the castle walls, Jonathan discovers that Dracula wants more than his presence at the dinner table – he might also be the main course. Leaving Jonathan for dead and his castle behind, Dracula travels to London on a quest for seduction, true love and above all – blood!
Directed by the award-winning Michael Futcher and adapted by shake & stir’s Artistic Directors Nelle Lee and Nick Skubij, this twisted tale features a stellar cast including fellow Artistic Director Ross Balbuziente, Michael Wahr (Othello, Hamlet), Adele Querol (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead) and David Whitney (My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, 1984, Rock of Ages).
“Vampire fiction just won’t die – you could say it is un-dead,” said Co-Adaptor Nick Skubij. “Enjoying a major resurrection with the wildly popular Twilight films, television series True Blood, The Originals and The Vampire Diaries, there is no doubt that audiences are as intrigued today as they were in the 19th century.”
“We look forward to plunging into the darkest recesses of human imagination to deliver a good dose of ultra-theatricality across the country – mind-boggling, head-twisting, blood-spurting moments and all.”
“shake & stir theatre co have created a show that blows the mind in every aspect… To put it simply, one bite just isn’t enough!” – Same Same
Director & Dramaturg: Michael Futcher Featuring: Ross Balbuziente, Nelle Lee, Adele Querol, Nick Skubij, Michael Wahr, David Whitney Set Designer: Josh McIntosh Costume Designer: Leigh Buchanan Lighting Designer: Jason Glenwright Sound Designer & Composer: Guy Webster Fight Director & Movement Coach: Nigel Poulton Adaptors: Nelle Lee and Nick Skubij
Currently performing in Regional New South Wales as part of a comprehensive national tour until 20 September 2017, Dracula will be presented at Parramatta’s Riverside Theatres (1 – 4 April); Canberra Theatre Centre (26 – 29 April); Geelong Performing Arts Centre (18 – 20 May); Gold Coast Arts Centre (8 – 9 August); Queensland Performing Arts Centre (15 August – 2 September); and the Adelaide Festival Centre (7 – 16 September).
For more information, and complete touring schedule, visit: www.shakeandstir.com.au for details.
Image: Nick Skubij features in Dracula (supplied)