DRACULA – A Comedy of Terrors by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen. The Menier Chocolate Factory, London until 3 May 2025, 4☆☆☆☆. Review: William Russell.

Photo Credit: Matt Crockett.

DRACULA – A Comedy of Terrors by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen. The Menier Chocolate Factory, London until 3 May 2025,

4☆☆☆☆. Review: William Russell.

“Frightfully funny.”

Subtle it is not, but it is what the title claims and arguably the best night out in town. Greenberg and Rosen – Greenberg also directs – have taken the legend of Dracula and told it in a manner never attempted before which manages to be pretty well a laugh a minute. James Daly is Dracula, who is visited in his castle by estate agent Jonathan Harker, played by Charlie Stemp. A ship with six coffins filled with earth soon sets sail to Whitby where Harker has properties to show and sisters Mina and Lucy are ready and waiting for the promise given at the beginning that the show will include a man with his shirt off. The problem is that Dracula does not fancy Mina, played by Sebastien Torkia, which is reasonable in the circumstances because she is not exactly beautiful, only becoming of interest when she get a transgusion of Lucy's blood. As for Lucy, played by Safeena Ladha, she loves Jonathan but does wish he were less of a coward while Dracula thinks she is just what he wants although if push came to shove he might fancy supping on Jonathan too. Meanwhile Van Helsing, Renfield and Dr Westfield are here there and everywhere although not all at once as they are all played by Dianne Pilkington who spends a lot of the night going off stage left and returning as somebody else stage right. Director Greenberg's ingenuity knows no bounds. Van Helsing, for instance, is a lady although played by a man which adds to the mix. It is not great theatre, it has no message other than love bites are not really a good idea, but it is rib tickling fun. There is a clever set by Tijana Bjelajac, some dazzling light effects by Ben Cracknell and Mina's wig is a triumph for Betty Marini as is her makeup. Stemp even manages to essay a few tap steps, for which he is celebrated, while creating an endearing wimp who finds his true self at the end. Dracula is quite simply frightfully funny.

Cast

James Daly – Dracula

Safeena Ladha – Lucy and others

Dianne Pilkington – Dr Westfield, Renfield and others

Charlie Stemp – Jonathan Harker and others

Sebastien Torkia Mina, Van Helsing and others

Creatives

Director – Gordon Greenberg

Set Designer – Tijana Bjelajac

Costume Designer – Tristan Raines

Lighting Designer – Ben Cracknell

Sound Designer – Yvonne Gilbert

Original Music – Victoria Deiorio

Hair, wigs & makeup – Betty Marini