Advertisement
The time has come for auditions for our next play...why not come along and see what it's all about?!'A biting comedy performed by four actors playing forty characters, Dracula: The Bloody Truth is a full-blooded adaptation, is “side-splittingly funny and is, by far, the best new comedy I've seen this year” (Broadway World).'
It's a riotous, farcical re-telling of the original Dracula story by Bram Stoker. The action is nonstop and a large number of costume and character changes happen in the blink of an eye. The play requires a very slick performance and actors with a very strong sense of comic timing. With thirty characters (the back of the play says forty, but I can only find thirty!) being played by only four actors, this play will require a very high level of availability for the actors being cast in the play.
This is a very physical play, and all actors will need to have a large degree of physicality about their performances.
Below is a breakdown of the characters played by each of the actors, with a very brief description of the character where the character is more significant than a couple of lines in a single scene. These descriptions are deliberately brief and non-prescriptive to allow the actors freedom in creating their versions of the characters. Anything that is (in the director's opinion) essential to the character will be noted.
Actor 1
Van Helsing
Dutch medical doctor, philosopher, and metaphysician, known for his vast knowledge of both modern and folk medicine, making him the leader in the fight against Count Dracula. An accent will be required for this character, but a Dutch accent is not mandatory (a general Germanic accent will do).
Bride 1
A previous victim of Dracula, completely enthralled with a heightened sexuality. Stilted, zombie like movement, possible head and limb twitching.
Quincey Morris
A polite and well-educated Texan. One of Lucy's suitors. A typical larger than life American.
Plus
A peasant
A train Conductor
A bloke
A box Man
a paper Boy
Actor 2
Dracula
The eponymous villain of the play. Violent, remorseless and extremely charismatic. Able to influence other characters in the play, especially the females. Moves in a very smooth fashion, almost gliding around the stage.
Dr Seward
A factual, scientific man who doesn't have much time for the supernatural or religious. A psychiatrist who runs an asylum for people deemed mentally unstable. Friend of Arthur Holmwood and Quincey Morris. Unsuccessful suitor of Lucy. Former student of Van Helsing. His name is pronounced C-Word by characters in the play.
Bride 3
A previous victim of Dracula, completely enthralled with a heightened sexuality. Stilted, zombie like movement, possible head and limb twitching.
Dad and Son on Cliff
Two parts played by the same actor. Needs to have a conversation with themselves. Brings to mind classic Tommy Cooper!
Mrs Westernra
Lucy's mother and housekeeper. Quite frail and forgetful.
Cart Driver
Driver of the cart that takes Jonathan Harker to Dracula's castle. Romanian.
Actor 3
Mina Murray (to be Harker)
Assistant school mistress. Good friend of Lucy Westenra. Jonathan Harker's fiancee. Pure, virtuous Victorian lady. Practical, intelligent, good-natured and devoted to Jonathan. Gets transformed into a vampire after a bite from Dracula.
Arthur Holmwood
Lucy's fiancée, English Aristocrat, son of Lord Godalming. Has to K*ll his fiancé when she is turned into a vampire by Dracula.
Bride 2
A previous victim of Dracula, completely enthralled with a heightened sexuality. Stilted, zombie like movement, possible head and limb twitching.
Mrs Westenra
Lucy's mother and housekeeper. Quite frail and forgetful.
Cart Driver's Wife
Wife of the cart driver. Romanian.
Plus
Margaret
Man in Dinner Jacket
Dock Worker
Ship's First Mate
Actor 4
Jonathan Harker
A solicitor, tasked with concluding a real-estate transaction with Dracula. Young, naive, curious and strong willed. Becomes imprisoned in Dracula's castle.
Lucy Westenra
Mina's best friend. Attractive, vivacious, chaste and virtuous.
Renfield
A patient in Seward's mental asylum. Very mentally unstable. Consumes living creatures to provide him with stength/life force. Moves in a very random manner.
Cart Driver's Wife
Wife of the cart driver. Romanian.
Plus
Dock Boy
Ship's Captain
Advertisement
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Little Theatre, High Street South, , LU6 3SF Dunstable, United Kingdom, 77 High Street South, Dunstable, LU6 3SF, United Kingdom,Dunstable
