Monday, February 19, 2007

Dracula has risen… in Blackpool

A treat for vampire fans in Blackpool as the Grand theatre Academy puts on a performance of Bram Stoker’s Dracula between 18th April and 22nd April 2007. From the theatre’s Website (search shows for Dracula as blogger's html editer dislikes the actual web address!):

"Bram Stoker's
"DRACULA

"A chillingly beautiful dramatisation by John Godber and Jane Thornton (1996)

"The classic vampire story by Bram Stoker (1845-1912) is one of the Grand Theatre Academy's three main productions in the Lawrence House Studio, for 2007. Performed by the adult members of our youth theatre (age 19 to 25), the dramatisation of the famous horror tale revolves around a struggle between good and evil, tradition and modernity, and lust versus chastity. The author didn’t invent vampires, but his novel so captured the public’s imagination that he is rightly considered their populariser.

"Tonight, you will meet not only the Count himself, but heroes Jonathan Harker and Abraham Van Helsing, plus an array of madmen, psychiatrists, and fair maidens who cross paths with the fanged menace!

"See this chillingly beautiful play; see the icy, stark and vivid images conjured by Bram Stoker's tale of the unresting vampire who must feed on the blood of others to survive! Share the terryfying tale of Jonathan Harker's trip to Transylvania and his ordeal as a guest of Count Dracula! Return to Britain to to find Dr Van Helsing battling to save his wife's dearest friend, the ravishing Lucy, from the Count's overwhelming powers! Who is true object of Dracula's desire? Will evil be vanquished forever?

"The production will be chilling, but not nightmare-inducing for children!"


Tickets are available through the above link and I have tickets booked already and so will let you all know what I think.

8 comments:

Dante said...

Hey Andy,

This is a tangent from your post, but I'm wondering if you know who did the illustration you have featured here. I know it is from a book cover from 1924, but I can't seem to locate the artist or a more full-sized image of the illustration.

I realize you probably got the image from the website, but I thought there may be an off-chance you have further information. I've been wanting to feature this illustration at my blog, but like I've said, I'm not having much luck finding info or clear jpg files.

If you don't know, it's not a big deal, but if you do, I sure would appreciate your assistance!

Thanks!

Taliesin_ttlg said...

Sorry Dante, can't help really. I've had a damn good google session but the image I used (from the theatre's website) seems the best version of the picture I can find.

My search makes me wonder if it was the W Rider & Son edition of the book from 1928 - if so it was originally colour acording to http://www.cesnur.org/2003/dracula/I.htm .

Never fear, however, I will now keep a weather eye to see what I can discover further and will post up at vampire forums to see if anyone knows any more.

Dante said...

Thanks for the effort. I first saw the image in a book I have on the making of Bram Stoker's Dracula. The caption beside it reads "a book cover published in 1924," but gives no further information.

I had hoped it may be famous but have had no results during my google sessions, either. Then I saw the image here and my hopes were renewed.

All is not lost, though, as I've found many other Dracula covers that prove to be quite interesting. Still, I will continue to search.

Again, thanks for your efforts!

Dante said...

Success! Thanks to the link you furnished above, I was able to do some further research and found the image.

Apparently, the text I have regarding the image is incorrect. Though the book I found the illustration in states it was created for a 1924 edition, it is actually from a 1916 edition (at least three or four web references list it this way).

I found the best image of it here:

Dracula Image

Thanks again, Andy. You've helped clear up a mystery for me.

Taliesin_ttlg said...

Dante, your welcome - though I don't know how much I really was - I could have even created a blind alley with the 1928 suggestion! Glad the link helped.

Dante said...

I can hardly recall the chain of clues myself, but I know they started with the link you provided. Eventually, after following a series of links, I came to the prize I had been searching.

As to blind alleys, I must admit to one I set you upon. I dug out the book which set me about my quest, and when I reread the text I realized it was not the book that was mistaken, but my own aging memory. Indeed, the book clearly states, "a book cover published in 1916."

I imagine this mystery could have been solved much earlier on if not for my faulty memory. Still, thanks for your help in this matter.

Shows in Blackpool said...

This was a great show. I dont know about being suitable for kids. At some points I was scared to death!! Then again kids these days are more used to being scared. Great Show, I really hope they do it again. Maybe I wont be quite so scared second time round.

Taliesin_ttlg said...

cheers for the comment SiB, if they put it on again I'll be sure to let folks know