Dracula (1996)

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Dracula is an adaptation by American playwright by Steven Dietz of Bram Stoker's novel by the same name, first published in 1996.^[1] Though it has never run on Broadway, the author lists it among his most financially successful works, and it is frequently performed near Halloween in regional and community theaters.^[2] Closely following the plot of the novel, the play chronicles Count Dracula's journey to England, his stalking of a two young women, and his pursuit and eventual defeat by the heroines' suitors and their associates.

[edit] History

[edit] Style and Fidelity

There have been many adaptations of Dracula for the stage since the novel's publishing in 1897, to say nothing of the numerous films, plays, games, etc., that have appropriated the title character. Since the first adaptation in 1927, many variations of the plot and characters have appeared in different stagings. Dietz's script, in contrast, is notable for its faithfulness to Stoker's plot, tone, and characters.

While all of Stoker's major plot points are present in Dietz's adaptation, they are not presented in the same order. While the novel presents its various journal entries and letters in roughly chronological order, Johnathan Harker's intitial trip to Transylvania and his stay in Dracula's castle are presented as flashbacks in the play.

Many Dracula adaptations are deliberately campy - Dietz' version is not, though the character Renfield is used to provide some comic relief. Dietz emulates Stoker's use of language, and incorporates fragments of Stoker's original dialog, both in and out of its original context.

The only major characters not appearing on-stage are two of Lucy Westenra's three suitors, Quincey Morris and Arthur Holmwood. Both are mentioned in dialog between Lucy and Mina, however, and the remaining suitor, Dr. John Seward, sometimes serves as a composite character of three. ^[3]

[edit] Deviations from the novel

• Renfield serves as a narrator, delivering a prologue and epilogue.^[4]
• There are only two Brides (called "Vixens") scripted, though the number cast in individual productions varies.^[5][6]
• Dracula's voyage is described, rather than staged, in a conversation between Seward and Dracula, who is posing as Harker.

[edit] Synopsis

[edit] Act 1

[edit] Act 2

Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (May 2008)

[edit] Response

[edit] Critical response

Critical reception to this version of Dracula has been mixed. Some critics praise Dietz's faithfulness to the source material (as compared to the many campy adaptations, or those that have taken great liberties with plot and characters).^[7] Others note that the rapid scene changes, and jumbled sequence of events (Harker's initial trip to Transylvania is presented as a series of flashbacks throughout the play) are difficult to follow, and that the florid language comes across as stilted.^[8]

[edit] Sources

[edit] Additional External References

• http://frankwrose.blogspot.com/2007/10/kregg-alan-daily-as-count-dracula-and.html
• http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20071025/news_lz1w25dracula.html
• http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2007-10-11/culture/twice-bitten/
• http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/Content?oid=oid%3A35580
• http://www.newsreview.com/chico/Content?oid=11238