DRACULA: The Musical?

Dracula

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Review by Mrs Emily Waller

I came to see the Saturday night performance of your show and have been asked to provide an objective review. As a fellow director and performer, I know what a hard and often daunting task putting on a show can be. Congratulations for securing the license to perform the UK Premier!
In the format of the reports I have received from both the Rosebowl and Noda representatives, I have broken the review down into relevant areas of the production.

 

Summary

I could easily detect a great sense of community spirit within the group, and it was great to see so many of the younger helpers/members around the hall. As I’m sure you are aware, this type of involvement is so important in ensuring the success of a company.
I would like to congratulate you on a successful, fun production which I could tell was enthusiastically welcomed by your audience. The show itself was, in the main, well learnt by the cast, especially the principle team who had the task of memorising copious amounts of dialogue. It is always difficult to learn a conversation between a large group of people when each character has to interject with one liners. I can imagine a lot of rehearsals were needed!

 

Set/Scenery/Properties

This show provided a great opportunity to put in place an impressive static set. Which is exactly what you did! The sitting room was fully dressed giving an instant authentic impression of the period in which the play is set. It also gave an element of grandeur and made us feel drawn into the story.
There were several seating areas on stage which could be used to alter the levels of the action. I would have liked to have seen the seats being used a little more to alter the picture presented to the audience, as I was aware of straight line groupings creeping in. A few times I felt the cast looked a little awkward in their positions.
The mirror effect, flying bat and wilting flowers were well portrayed and added a great touch of humour.
The coffin and gravestones were excellent and instantly gave the creepy feeling intended.
I did feel that the table placed centre along with the sofa were too bulky together. It seemed to prove difficult for the cast to manoeuvre around and formed a bit of a barrier between the chorus and the audience especially during the angry villagers number. Perhaps, during the opening scene, the lunatics could have replaced the table following their song, after being ordered to tidy up their mess by Nelly. This would have given you more room to move the ensemble.

 

Choreography

The type of music in this show doesn’t really lend itself to big dance numbers, and I could see that the moves that had been choreographed had been well learnt. However, with the songs being unknown and very similar it would’ve been good to see a little more movement. There were a number of songs delivered with static standing positions at the front. Perhaps the duets could’ve included a few twirls etc. Also, even a few hand gestures or paces will help to combat the nerves of singing solo.
When ‘Dracula’ was wooing ‘Mina’ I really feel an element of suspense/tension could’ve been created with some slow graceful movement to their songs.
The bats were a very cute addition and their routine well remembered!



Costumes

Some excellent choices made and everyone looked in perfect character. They were colourful and gave an instant status to the individuals. The bats perfectly batty.
I would pay close attention to jewellery worn on stage though, for example if a character isn’t yet married then they shouldn’t be wearing a wedding ring. Care should also be taken with watches etc., especially in period productions..

 

Technical

The pyrotechnics used worked a treat, were well timed and very unexpected.
The sound was well managed and we could clearly hear all the vocals. There was a good balance between the music and voices for the songs.
The stage was brightly lit so all could be seen. However, lighting is an important tool to create an atmosphere. I would like to have seen some subtle changes to the plot during the dramatic moments, even if it was to only dim the whole stage and just light the individual(s) concerned. Or, switching the lights to a cool wash when Dracula is in the room.

 

Musical Direction

It is always difficult to learn music that you are not familiar with. I think the team did a sterling job of learning some taxing ‘interesting’ melodies. This was a very haunting style of music which must have made pitching difficult. However, I do feel that once some of the principles began to sing the concentration became so intense that a bit of the character was lost. Expression within a song is key to putting the story across. Adding some dynamics and inflection to the song can help do this.
The piano accompaniment throughout was well played. But a lack of supporting instruments or drum beat can, however. slow the song and leave the soloists exposed which, in turn increases the level of nerves.
The ensemble produced a grand sound together with good diction, I could hear every word. I particularly liked the number in Act 2 going to find Dracula.
I found a few characters were left awkwardly waiting to sing while the introduction played. It would be ideal to be able to time these intros to begin under the proceeding dialogue, so that when they finish they practically go straight into the song, without delaying the flow.
I would like to have seen some ‘mood music’ improvised to assist with creating the tension required. Eg, a few chords playing when Dracula was trying to charm Mina, or during intense discussions to build the suspense. It would also be an uplifting end to a show to have music playing whilst the bows are taking place.


Direction

The running of the show was smooth and speedy which is an achievement considering the style of the show. The opening tableau was effective and set the scene well.
At the end of an Act wait until the curtains close fully before the company move.
The ‘walking to Dracula’s castle’ was a funny interlude and provided the company a chance to demonstrate their ‘panto’ skills. You could really see some of the characters come to life in this particular situation.
Dracula’s death during the final song was great, well timed and very funny.
Continue acting until clear of the stage, there were a few unavoidable moments where people were just standing queuing to leave the stage. In these situations people should develop banter between the characters.
I felt the important moment with Nelly and Dracula should have been set at the front of the stage as some of the action was lost at the back and being overshadowed by the table.


Principles

The principle team worked well together and made the story come to life. However, several members stood out with a definite stage presence. Dr Van Helsing and Sophie Seward led the team well and had a natural flair for engaging the audience. Both showed expression, confident delivery, moved well and had melodic rich singing voices.
Count Dracula had perfected the traditional accent and delivered the dialogue and songs confidently. However, I would have liked him to have used his whole body more to ‘woo’ his prey and captivate the audience.
Mina and Bubu worked well together as a team and acted their roles well throughout. Both spoke with expressive confidence, however, when it came to singing the songs tended to slip out of the characters created and seemed to become shy of the audience a little. Bubu had a good comedy role and I would like to have seen her play her character up a little further when she didn’t have dialogue.
Boris looked suitably ‘looney’ and I thought the hair was a great touch! I could hear the dialogue well and like Bubu had a potentially hilarious role. I would like to have seen some playing to the audience whilst dialogue was taking place to show a little of the ‘lunatic’ side. It doesn’t have to be over the top, maybe even just going around the room rearranging all the ornaments. I enjoyed the style of his songs, however, when it says they are supposed to be ‘contagious’ I was willing the character to burst into dance to make us want to get up and join in with him. I did feel the cast around him were feeling the same.
Sam Seward looked the perfect gentleman and gave an immediate impression of his role. The dialogue was clear and vocals strong. My main feedback would be to move and gesture to the audience/fellow cast members more. Your arms tended to remain by your sides throughout the production.
Nelly was a warm character and the audience enjoyed her presence on stage. She engaged them well and delivered strong dialogue. She moved her songs well to assist with their delivery. A reliable performer.

 

Chorus

Loud, rousing sound produced, just focus on the delivery. Use your hands to gesture and tell the audience the story. Give yourself a character to play and stick to it throughout. Smile!
Whilst the actions of the ‘angry villagers’ were obviously visually angry, it may have helped to set the scene with a bit of angry noise during their approach to the house (in the wings).
There were obviously some rising stars in the younger members of the ensemble.

 

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