Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors ★★★ Menier Chocolate Factory | Until May 3, 2025


He's back! In this comic retelling of Bram Stoker's classic, Dracula is recast as a ripped pansexual predator who is thirsty for anybody's blood. Authors, Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen, have written a spoof on the much-adapted vampire tale that is unchallengingly gender-bending and gently humorous. There's nothing really transgressive here, and it is all good fun with some predictably cute anachronisms, some amusing breaking of the fourth wall and lots of mirror jokes. The cast's timing is excellent, and Greenberg's direction is adroit and perfectly paced. As Dracula, James Daly does a nice job as the suave, self-centred seducer, and although his accent comes and goes, it probably doesn't matter much. Charlie Stemp is also very funny as the timid estate agent and the fiancé of fair Lucy who is nicely played by Safeena Ladha. As the heroine's less attractive sister, Mina, and as a female Van Helsing, Sebastien Torkia camps it up delightfully. However for us, the stand-out performance was that of Dianne Pilkington who is splendid as Dr. Westfield, suitably loony as Renfield and stoically silly as the sinking sea captain. Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors doesn't quite achieve the manic magic or seductive sense of deviance of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but although it may lack much bite, it is an enjoyable and entertaining riff on everyone's favourite vampire.

Rated: ★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Matt Crockett

When, Where, Getting there:
Map & Location: 4 O'Meara St, London SE1 1TE, UK

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