Preview- Dracula- Performance Exchange
17-10-15
By: Meaghan McGurgan
Performance Exchange is a London based touring company formed in 1980 as part of the first London International Festival of Theatre. The company is a pool of actors, directors, writers, designers and technicians from which productions are planned and mounted. Since 1981 the company has performed more than 100 productions ranging from the classics to modern masterpieces plus new writing too. Their motto is to tour the world and exchange ideas, plays, trends, performers, designers, writers and be open to all forms of theatre and all performance possibilities. We love the classics, from Aeschylus to Shakespeare to Beckett and the rest.
You may have seen one or more of their many touring productions which have played in Hong Kong (usually at the Fringe Club) over the years. At HKELD, we've recently reviewed their Elephant Man and Victims and Preachers.
Darkness looms! The murderous vampire king abandons his sordid castle in Transylvania for his new home, England’s Carfax Abbey. Pursuing the wife of Jonathan Harker, the demon fiend will not be denied. Only Jonathan can stop him, and he must if he is to save his wife. A new adaptation of the great Bram Stoker classic and a world première from Performance Exchange.
"This production of Dracula is a world premiere," says actor Daniel Foley. "The play focuses on 3 main characters, Jonathan Harker, Mina Harker and Dracula. Jonathan recollects the extraordinary events of his journey to Castle Dracula, his captivity and his return to England to finally confront the vampire king. At the end Jonathan speaks of his fear for the future as he and Mina have been changed forever," Daniel will be taking on the titular role of Dracula in the production. He considers Dracula both a villain and a very tragic figure, complex in the extreme, so expect an interesting take on the production and the role we've come to associate with All Hallows Eve.
Also in the show is Will White as Jonathan and well known Hong Kong actress Jennie Davies as ingenue Mina. You might know her from her Heckler nominations in The Vagina Monologues and her other memorable performances over the past few years. She is very excited to be part of the production. Jonathan Harker is a great character for Will to play. He is vulnerable and considerate, yet finds the courage within himself at the end to confront the vampire. Mina anchors the piece and is the love interest of both Jonathan and Dracula.
"Dracula is one of the great tales that has been told, retold, reworked, rehashed and still maintains an attraction and it is great theatre, " says Daniel, who adds that "the production has a fine soundscape and is a visual treat." They're working this show to be great for adults and kids alike and recommend you bring the whole family to the show. "It's a retelling of the story that's interesting but isn't too scary and is accessible for ESL speakers and expats too!" Their theory is good theatre appeals to all.
The character of Count Dracula from Brahm Stroker's Dracula has remained popular over the years and many films and plays have used the Count as a villain, while others have named him in their titles. Dracula has enjoyed enormous popularity since its publication and has spawned an extraordinary vampire subculture in the second half of the 20th century. More than 200 films have been made featuring Count Dracula, a number second only to Sherlock Holmes. At the center of this subculture is the legend of Transylvania, which has become almost synonymous with vampires. One has to wonder what has made this character stick with us in pop culture for so long? What makes him so fascinating and easy to adapt?
Dracula is playing at the Fringe Club from October 22nd to 24th. Show starts at 8pm. Tickets range from 120HKD for kids and Fringe Club members to 150HKD for adults. They can be purchased through HKticketing outlets or at the Fringe Club.
For more information, click here.
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