MORE than four decades after the Lichfield Players first brought Bram Stoker's Dracula to the stage, the legendary vampire is returning.
The theatre group says the new adaptation of the classic tale is designed to "surprise and unsettle" audiences when it comes to the Lichfield Garrick from 21st to 24th October.
The story has been reimagined by playwright Jenny King, working alongside director Simon Horton to create a production that aims to stay closer than ever to Stoker’s original novel while giving the story a distinctly cinematic feel.
For Simon, who has long admired Stoker’s novel and its many adaptations, the opportunity to direct Dracula was an irresistible challenge.
He first began discussing the production almost a year ago. Drawing on his television background, he wanted to create a show that was visual, atmospheric and "widescreen" in its ambition – no easy task in a studio theatre with limited resources.
He tracked down Jenny King, whose adaptation he had seen at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in 2018. Her enthusiasm for revisiting the play proved infectious, and the pair began reworking the original script.
The result is an entirely new version which brings the production closer to Stoker while remaining practical for the Lichfield stage. It also explores some of the darker themes at the heart of the story.
The production has also presented its own challenges behind the scenes. Around 50 actors auditioned for just 18 roles, making the final casting decisions particularly difficult.
Cast members for the production of Dracula. Pictures: Douglas Armour
Simon says the quality, enthusiasm and commitment shown by everyone who auditioned were "quite extraordinary".
And it is not just the acting that has involved the wider community. Costume design has become a major part of the production, thanks to a collaboration with South Staffordshire College.
Hayley Brooks and her third-year Fashion and Textiles students have created some entirely new costumes for Dracula.
The collaboration has provided students with the opportunity to develop their skills in a professional style creative environment – and to see their designs transformed from ideas into costumes and brought vividly to life on stage.
For Simon, that sense of collaboration is part of what makes theatre special, but his ambition for the production goes further – he wants audiences to experience something unexpected.
He explained:
"My vision for this production has always been to take the audience by surprise – this may not be the production of Dracula that you were expecting, but I sincerely hope it’s one that intrigues, excites and inspires.
"And if it gives you the odd nightmare as well, our work here is done."
Tickets are available now by calling 01543 412121 or visiting the Lichfield Garrick website.
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