Act Reviews 2024 / 2025 Season

What truly made Jane’s performance remarkable was the physicality he brought to the role. Whether thrashing around in his cage or silently stalking the shadows during scene transitions, his body was completely in tune with the character. Even during the blackouts, Jane remained in character, his silhouette visible as he moved with purpose across the stage. The commitment to embodying Renfield, even in moments of darkness, was superb. His performance was not just about words but about physical storytelling, making Renfield’s inner torment painfully clear to all who watched. As Renfield raged, we were introduced to Doctor Arthur Seward, played by the talented Jack Corcoran. Corcoran was every inch the quintessential Victorian doctor - stoic, methodical, and burdened by the weight of responsibility. His strong projection and commanding stage presence anchored the early scenes, and his interactions with Renfield and the other characters were layered with complexity. At first, Doctor Seward appeared in control, but as the story unfolded, Corcoran expertly conveyed his character’s gradual unravelling. You could see the cracks forming in his composure. One of the standout moments for Corcoran came in Act Two, where his character’s emotional vulnerability was on full display. As Doctor Seward became overwhelmed by the unfolding events, Corcoran’s portrayal became more fragile, his energy visibly draining as he sank to the floor, a man completely at his wit's end. This was no easy feat, as low-energy acting can often feel underplayed, but Corcoran balanced it well, making the audience feel every ounce of his character’s despair. Robbie Fallon’s Jonathan Harker was another performance that elevated the production. Harker, Mina’s fiancé, is a well-travelled solicitor, and Fallon imbued the character with a sense of sophistication and authority. His upper-class accent was consistent throughout, lending an air of authenticity to his portrayal. Fallon and Sophia Kesting, who played Mina, shared a natural, believable chemistry. Their interactions felt genuine, and their scenes together had a tenderness that made you believe in their love. Whether holding each other in quiet moments or gazing longingly into one another’s eyes, Fallon and Kesting brought warmth and

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODU3MzQ=