A high camp homage to silent cinema and the ultimate queer hero, The Prince of Darkness, Little Ones Theatre presents Dracula – a gothic and erotic Australian premiere with a comic bent at Theatre Works from 30 October 2015.
Dracula will delve deep into the cinematic history of horror – from Bela Legosi to Gary Oldman, Buster Keaton to Catherine Deneuve, and a soupcan of Nosferatu – and bring it to the stage in all its bawdy desire, and gory glory. With excessive eyeliner. And carnal desire.
Neither living or dead, Dracula is a monster both terrifying, seductive, lascivious and romantic. Like Lucifer, Dracula is a dissident, sacriligous, damning and profane. He is defiant of patriarchal power (God) and is forever cursed as the archetype of damned immorality. Vampirism is a metaphor for the pursuit of endless, eternal desires.
Vampiric mythology explores, not just the pursuit of blood, but the eternal pain of mortal sins and the lust to feed. Dracula, is neither monster nor human, male or female. A horror and a beauty. A being that commands both terror, insatiable desire and deep respect.
From acclaimed company, Little Ones Theatre comes a new theatrical event that will recreate the Silent Film experiences of the late 19th Century live on stage. Live musical accompaniment. Shadow play. Title cards. Excessive eye-liner. Physical comedy. Popcorn machines. Fangs. This is Dracula like you have never seen it before. A high camp extravaganza inspired by the cinematic evolution of one of literature’s most intriguing queer figureheads.
Little Ones Theatre much lauded creative team – director Stephen Nicolazzo and designers Eugyeene Teh, Tessa Leigh Wolffenbuttel Pitt and Katie Sfetkidis – will again craft the Company’s signature aesthetic of camp, kitsch and heightened visual style, joined by an exciting cast of frequent collaborators in this new theatrical event.
“Welcome to my house, come freely. Go safely; and leave something of the happiness you bring.” – Bram Stoker
Director: Stephen Nicolazzo Featuring: Alexandra Aldrich, Zoe Boesen, Catherine Davies, Brigid Gallacher, Amanda McGregor, Morgan McGuire, Kevin Kiernan Molloy, Janine Watson Set Design: Eugyeene Teh Costume Design: Tessa Leigh Wolffenbuttel Pitt and Eugyeene Teh Lighting Design: Katie Sfetkidis Sound Design and Composition: Daniel Nixon Production Manager: Rebecca Poulter
Dracula
Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St. Kilda
Season: 30 October – 14 November 2015
Bookings: (03) 9534 3388 or online at: www.theatreworks.org.au
For more information, visit: www.littleonestheatre.com.au for details.
Image: Little Ones Theatre presents Dracula – photo by Sarah Walker