Theatre / 4theatre
Review: Dracula, Alma Tavern Theatre
4Theatre Production’s Dracula-inspired short shows off the individual talents of the cast, but fails to make its mark as a terrifying piece of drama.
Characterization on an individual basis was strong: haunting cackles interspersed with eerie clicks and strained breaths demonstrated eager dedication to the actors’ individual roles. Ryan Phillips’ Count was positively sickening, his vocalisation clearly inspired by the frightful child-eating ‘Pale Man’ from Pan’s Labyrinth. Synchronized physical elements were tight, and served to enhance what might have otherwise been a wordy script. The performance might, though, have benefited from moments of quiet and calm to contrast with the more frantic aspects of the story.
However, the rest of the cast came short of inspiring any real sense of fear, while the decision to use general washes as lighting schemes undermined the commitment of the performers. Spotlights on the actors’ faces would have distilled the show’s strengths – while audience members might have decided not to leave for fear of tripping up on the exit stairs.
Dracula is at the Alma Tavern Theatre until Fri 31 Oct. For more info, visit http://almataverntheatre.co.uk/theatre/what-s-on
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
