humanity to the production amidst the horror. Fallon’s shining moment came during a monologue where his character recounted his harrowing experiences in Dracula’s castle. The stage was dimly lit with cool blue tones, a sharp spotlight highlighting Harker as he relived the terror of his encounter with the Count. Fallon’s body trembled with fear, his voice quivering, and his hands shaking. This monologue was to build suspense, with Fallon’s every movement. The theatre was so silent, you could have heard a pin drop - a testament to Fallon’s ability to hold the audience in the palm of his hand. Kesting’s performance as Mina was equally impressive. She brought a quiet strength to the role, commanding the stage with poise and grace. Her voice carried a depth of emotion that made her character feel multidimensional. Mina is no mere damsel in distress, and Kesting’s portrayal reflected that complexity. She walked with purpose and confidence, her every movement coordinated. Her emotional arc from a woman besotted with Jonathan to one haunted by Dracula’s looming presence was handled with great subtlety. The lighting design by James Shawcross deserves special mention. Shawcross used a combination of traditional and LED lighting to great effect, bathing scenes in moody reds and blues that heightened the sense of dread. Lightning flashes during key moments made the audience jump in their seats, and the fades between scenes were seamlessly timed, ensuring the flow of the story never faltered. Though there were a few moments where lighting transitions flickered unintentionally during scene changes but Shawcross’ overall design was striking and highly effective. A personal preference would have been the addition of more atmospheric haze, which could have deepened the gothic mood even further, especially considering the ominous and eerie themes of the play. Sound design also played a crucial role in bringing this production to life. The subtle sound of a fly buzzing around the room, which Renfield ultimately caught with perfect timing, was a clever touch that added to the immersive experience. The background screams and cries in the asylum heightened the sense of chaos, while the perfectly timed sound effects, such as thunder and wind, added to the
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