Prepare yourself for a night of gothic horror and touching romance, as Queensland Ballet brings alive the Transylvanian Count to the stage in all his graceful glory. Not just as a brooding old man as traditionally seen in film or even more recently in the Netflix adaptation of Castlevania, but instead transforming before your very eyes between the young and old Count with no special effects whatsoever, it has to be seen to be believed.
I was excited to attend the Queensland Ballet Dracula dress rehearsal performance and was mesmerized by all it had to offer. Queensland is blessed with arguably one of the best ballet troupes in the world. The choreography successfully manages to capture the gothic tones without sacrificing grace. Each part of the traditional powers of Dracula is successfully communicated with only dance.
What would be a ballet if not for the set and costumes, and in this regard Phil R. Daniels and Charles Cusick Smith, complemented each other perfectly. The music, performed by Camerata - Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, evoked an eerie feeling inside of me but served each act well and ultimately aided in telling the story. Personally the Orchestra gave me a feeling of dread during the francitic and fever pitch moments before a vampire would strike.
Unlike a traditional ballet performance which is quite well lit, the lighting designed by Jon Buswell, vividly captures the audience's imagination. Dark and brooding when our beloved count takes center stage and light and airey during the day time hours, when our heroes feel they are safe.
The story is a classic tale of love, lust and loss. Set in the 15th century the audience is quickly introduced to Young Dracula, performed by Victor Estévez, fighting against the Turks. Upon rumours of his death his beloved wife Elizabeth commits suicide. This scene was quite evocative as the tower that Elizabeth fell from was intimately lit on stage. Once Young Dracula learns the truth he gives in to the dark side and transforms into a bloodthirsty vampire.
Jonathan Harker, played by Camilo Ramos, is a young solicitor looking to assist Dracula in sealing the deal for an estate in England. The meeting takes a turn when Jonathan has a papercut and Dracula shows his true colours in front of his new guest. Dracula, played by Alexander ldaszak, soon becomes entranced by an image of Jonathan’s fiance as it reminds him of his deceased wife Elizabeth. This tragic love story will sit with you long after you have left the theatre, make sure you see it before the curtains close on 4th December.
Joanna Letic