STAGING INFORMATION

 

These pages will tell you all about the show, how it was created and everything you might need to know if you're considering staging the musical. Click a link below to explore further or see the answers to some frequently asked questions...

	Read the synopsis for the show
	Read character descriptions for all the parts in the show
	Find out about the various orchestrations of the score suited to different band sizes

What is the concept of the musical?

DRACULA is a faithful translation of the outstanding gothic novel originally written by Bram Stoker. The musical traces the traumatic events in the history of seven young men and women in 1897 as they become involved in the plans of a mythical and evil monster determined to enslave England as his undead servants. This book musical transports the audience, along with the son of one of the survivors back to the very beginning of the nightmare as he reads the diary and journal entries of Jonathan and Mina Harker, Lucy Westerna, Abraham Van Helsing, John Seward, Quincy Morris and Arthur Holmwood.

Dracula musicals are two-a-penny these days. How is this musical different to the other Dracula musicals and plays out there?

Firstly this musical is a faithful adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic novel. A few changes have been made to the overall structure, such as the edition of a prologue and epilogue and a few addtions have been made. However, the plot of the original is strictly adhered to and even some of the novel's dialogue appears in the script of the show. Secondly, we have stayed true to Bram Stoker's original focus. The novel is comprised of diary entries made by the humans. In this respect the character of Dracula is given very little voice. Many of the previous stage versions of the show have failed simply because they present Dracula as a central character rather than concentrating on the human struggle that is at the centre of the novel. The writers of this musical believe that what is unseen is much more scary and so this musical presents Dracula as a shadowy character, full of mystery while at the same time focusing on the relationships and human endevours which make Bram Stoker's original so powerful.

What kind of institution would the musical be suitable for?

The musical has been written so that a large number of performers can be included for a production based in a university or high school, but can be performed with a minimum of 15 performers for smaller theatre companies. The standard of the singing is of medium difficulty and the vocal ranges of the performers are written well within normal parameters. More information on this can be found in the character section of the site.

What kind of venue would the musical be suitable for?

The musical has been written that the staging would be very much open to the director or designer of the show. Grace Burson, Margaret Pritchard and Xander Hough have written their piece to make it as flexible as possible. If a large cast and budget were to be employed then a proscenium would be advisable. However, the piece's intimidating and intense atmosphere could equally well be recreated in a more intimate space such as a theatre in the round or studio environment. It is envisioned that hopefully one day the show will one day be performed in a larger West End venue.

What is the style of the show?

The show is written as a book musical with spoken dialogue and main musical numbers. However, Xander Hough has provided significant underscoring so that the whole style of the show is cinematic and key dramatic moments are enhanced by music as well as strong dialogue. The angle taken on the DRACULA story steers away from the hotly debated sexual tensions and instead focuses on the battle between emerging 20th Century Science and the mythical world of Dracula. The show however does explore the sexual and charismatic power of the original novel. The aim of the musical is to provide a dramatic recreation of the novel and to theatrically present the gothic splendor of Bram Stoker's horror story. Essentially DRACULA is about the strength and power of love in binding people together to take on a force of evil.

What is the musical style of the show and what are the musical requirements?

The show's score taps into the contemporary sound of West End theatre today. However, through the orchestration and writing of the score, Xander how has echoed the main themes of the musical in presenting an epic battle between technology and mythology. The very rigid Victorian approach of the humans is characterized in a very romantic and graceful melodies orchestrated in a period fashion with neo-baroque flavors and period sounding ensembles. Conversely, the magical and sexual world of Dracula and his servants is characterized by extremely modern synthesized orchestration and rock operatic singing. As the battle between the living and undead climaxes, Xander Hough mixes these two styles to create what is hopefully a compelling and enchanting score. Orchestral requirements can be found by following the link above and vocal ranges are included as part of the character description.

The orchestration of the show seems to require a lot of (unusual) instruments. We don't have those kind of resources. Can we still do the show justice?

While a large orchestra is preferable, it is not neccessary. The score has been organised to make use of some very common doubling instruments (Flute and Piccolo, Oboe and Cor Anglais, Clarinet and Saxophone), but if the needs of your particular group of musicians is different, no problem, we'll re-orchestrate the music for you all you need to do is ask. Some of the instruments are not essential, but do add a great sound to the show, such as an Alto flute. Your musical director can use his or her discretion about when a more common instrument might be able to play a part say, down or up an octave instead.

We'd like to perform the show, but we never use an orchestra! Do you have a solution?

Yes! We have made very realistic sounding backing tracks using the industry leader, the Vienna Symphonic Library. The VSL is a collections of highly realistic sound samples, that we have then used in connection with a MIDI sequencer and recorder to playback the score of the show. The recordings sound very, very life-like. It may not sound as though you have a live orchestra in a theatre, but it will sound like you're using a recording of one rather than some of those nasty karaoke backing track sounds you get! If you wanted to use a combination of backing tracks and live musicians (for example, you might have great brass and woodwind players, but no strings) we can re-record the backing tracks for you.

How long is DRACULA?

The first act is approximately 1.15 minutes and the second act is approximately 45 minutes.

Has DRACULA ever been performed?

To date no full production of DRACULA has been undertaken. Many people have privately performed songs from the show and there are two current developments underway at the moment. The first is that a brass band in the Netherlands has arranged the Overture of the show and is now playing that, and the second is that a university in Hungary is undertaking to translate and perform the work. Xander Hough and Grace Pritchard welcome comments, criticisms, praise, and advice on their work. They remain open requests or offers of production whoever they are from.

Can I get hold of the sheet music, a CD of the music or a script of the show to look at?

Scripts, CDs of some of the music from the show and sheet music are all available on request and are not charged for. All you need do is contact the writers. Their details are in the contact section.

We normally use a large ensemble. Would DRACULA be suitable for this?

Absolutely. The musical has recently undergone some major revisions which have added a lot of opportunity for speaking and non-speaking ensemble members. For example, the opening scenes include a medical class in Amsterdam, the Harker's engagement party, and the Town's people in the Carpathians. The musical includes small spoken and sung parts for characters such as servants and members of the undead. There are plenty of opportunities to use a larger ensemble but it is not necessary if your company is smaller.

Can we make changes to the show to suit our needs?

The writers are not adversed to companies performing the show making alterations such as cuts, but this must be done in accordance with a performance contract. Normally we would ask that we make the alterations after consulting with you, but otherwise we're open to making sure you can perform the show and perform it to the best of your abilities.