TLP Dracula dramatic winner

Timber Lake Playhouse advertised Dracula as “Terrifying”. I was so looking forward to really being frightened like 2004’s Voices in the Dark when the lightening struck and a mysterious person appeared out of nowhere. There were some audience members that were anxious and scared at some of the special effects and props during Dracula but as for me I hardly flinched. But don’t get me wrong, this is a very dramatic play and the acting is outstanding.

Director Brad Lyon, who celebrates his 10th year with Timber Lake, is a true gem for this area. He not only directed Dracula, he also wrote the play as an adaptation of the original book rather than the Bela Lugosi’s Dracula most of us remember. Lyons based his story on “richly drawn characters, psychological terror and beautiful Victorian language” rather than “cheesy laughable special effects”.

The tale begins with a flashback. Newly appointed Solicitor Jonathan Harker is infirmed in a mental ward when he begins to read his diary and remember his frightful trip to Transylvania. His firm has sent the very excited man on his first job assignment to meet Dracula who wants to buy a castle around London. We meet Dracula in 1897 in Eastern Europe where they still live centuries behind the contemporary London with their superstitions and old fashioned ways. When the peasants find out he’s going to see Dracula they are frightened and call Dracula “Satan” and tell him fearful tales. But when he gets there and finds himself alone and locked in the castle he feels helpless. While back in London his beloved Mina is corresponding with her friend Lucy. The two friends bring a comic relief to contrast the drama of the castle. A third scene (and probably the most fascinating) develops in the mental hospital with Dr. Jack Seward and one of his patients R.M. Renfield. As the play develops the three scenarios eventually merge.

Although all the actors did a fantastic job, Best Actor must go to Justin Sample for his portrayal of the tortured, insane, psychotic, mental patient. I remember a couple years ago giving him a poor review but he has grown so much as an actor in the past two years. Dracula, played by Daniel Trump who is only 22 years old, looked the part from his over 6 foot stature to his dark looks and menacing eyes. Best Actress goes to the perky blonde, Jenny Guse, who plays Mina’s friend Lucy. All the actors do a great job keeping in character, which is especially hard when they use German and English accents.

The special effects and props are pretty good. Watch Dracula when he climbs down the wall and Lucy when she’s with Dracula for the best effects. My only criticism was the sound. When you watch a scary movie, the music lets you know when the horror is building and gets your blood racing. The soundtrack is lacking and dull. Also in the second act when Dracula comes to London and things start building, I think a few lightening cracks and the flash of the lights with Dracula suddenly appearing would have heighten my senses as the bang from the guns did. Watch for the red lighting and shadows for more effect. They use smoke in London which filters into the audience so pick a higher seat to avoid being overcome.

Lyons tried to put a great deal into this play, which lasts over 3 hours. There is a lot of narration by the lead characters and other. The scenes change quickly and for dramatic effect sometime too quickly. It was hard to feel their emotions when the scene ends so quickly. Sometimes it takes a while to build emotions in the audience.

The abstract set is constantly moving and the ramps look treacherous as they go all the way to the ceiling. Each time the set moved the scene moved to a different place in the castle, on a ship, or various places in London. The scenes change quickly and quite often. The stylish period costumes give a feeling of the time and places from Eastern Europe to turn-of-the-century London.

Dracula “doesn’t drink Jonathan’s blood, but instead he absorbs the very essence of Jonathan’s being: his dialect, his mannerisms, his sense of civilized London style…and eventually, his wardrobe”, explains my press release. For a wonderful dramatic performance drive just a few miles up Route 78 to Timber Lake Playhouse. The performances continue through Saturday June 23rd. For more information visit www.timberlakeplayhouse.com.

(by Barb Benson, Guest Columnist)