Sex, fear and the flickering light – Mark Bruce Company, Dracula, 5 November, The North Wall – Dana Mills reviews

The tale of the quintessential vampire, Dracula, has been told many a time and in many a medium.  Indeed, it is one of those narratives which, for the spectator, merge into a long genealogy of receptions and reproductions. This genealogy disables us from distinguishing the history of reception from the story itself. This position of a story entrapped between narrative and its reception presents anyone contributing to this genealogy a double challenge: not only conversing with the characters and bringing them to life, but conversing with all the other storytellers who have done so before. Mark Bruce does so beautifully in this new production of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

 

Mark Bruce Company in Dracula at The North Wall 5th-6th November 2013

Following the success of their previous show Made in Heaven, Mark Bruce Company return to the North Wall with Bruce’s newest piece Dracula, made in association with Tobacco Factory Theatre, Pavilion Dance and Wilton’s Music Hall.  Jonathan Goddard plays the infamous Vampire Count, whose sinister and ruthless ambitions challenge the very fabric of Victorian society. As his victims and opponents rally against him they must face the darkness and savagery within themselves. With an eclectic mix of music from Bach and Mozart to Ligetti and Fred Frith.  Bruce’s company of ten exceptional dancers bring Bram Stoker’s haunting erotic tale to life in a heart wrenching and magical dance-theatre production.

“The best thing that Bruce has ever done… kill for a ticket.”  **** The Observer