Review: Dracula, Lyric Hammersmith

This fresh new version of the classic horror story, Dracula, is told from the point of view of Mina (played by Umi Myers), the wife of Jonathan Harker, who leads the cast through an enactment of her traumatic experiences. The audience enters to an atmospheric auditorium illuminated with red lights, filled with dry ice and with a ripped, black safety curtain. It’s a bold and brash start to this feminist rewrite.

Writer Morgan Lloyd Malcolm puts front and centre characters who, although important, are often narrowly portrayed by Bram Stoker in the novel. Mina relates the story of how her fiancé is deeply traumatised from his travels to Transylvania to meet the mysterious Count Dracula. She then describes the mysterious Count’s appearances in Whitby and his victims – especially her close friend Lucy – and then the final showdown back at his castle. It ends in the present day, where the story is examined through the lens of the feminist fight against male dominance.

The show leans into its horror roots, with Mina’s opening monologue telling the audience that she can’t promise they will be safe. Count Dracula is a shadowy creature, taking a number of forms, representing the fears of the characters who meet him. But despite the gothic set, a good jump scare and a threatening atmosphere, the play rarely reaches the frightening pitch it promises. And Lucy’s final demise, an opportunity for real horror, is played for laughs through the pantomime antics of her betrothed and Van Helsing.

The production uses techniques to add texture with varying success – characters taking a handheld mic to speak some of their parts; the voice of one character comes through a gramophone. The staging has the same slightly haphazard feel, sometimes the props are true to life and we see castle walls, gothic windows and a coffin, but at other times the props take on a variety of meanings as wicker baskets become a staircase or coffins, and a hotel baggage cart transmutes into a horse-drawn carriage. The costumes add to the uncertainty. We are set up to expect a grisly scene when the sailors on board disappear one by one at Dracula’s hands, but the actors’ appearance on stage with enormous puff-sleeved outfits raises a laugh.

Dracula is well acted with strong performances from the small cast. Myers is mesmeric as Mina, passionate and driven, whilst Mei Mac is energetic and engaging as Lucy. Despite the odd goofy scene or jarring moment, the production holds the dark drama well. The show is a straight-through 1 hour and 45 minutes and moves with pace towards its chilling conclusion, which is clever, if slightly rambling. Everyone loves a supernatural story when the nights draw in, and this is a really enjoyable one to watch.

Written by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm
Directed by Emma Baggott
Set and Costume by Grace Smart
Lighting Designed by Joshie Harriette
Illusion Design by John Bulleid & Gareth Kalyan

 Dracula runs at Lyric Theatre Hammersmith until Saturday 11 October.