chilling atmosphere. The inclusion of Swan Lake music, used sparingly and with precision, also contributed to the period feel of the play. I would just ask the stage team to look at their light in the wings on Stage right as it was shining and glowing above the flats and onto the set during blackouts. I would try and perhaps realign it, dim it or cover it with a lighting gel to make it less obvious. Allie Manning, who portrayed Count Dracula, was a commanding presence from the moment she stepped on stage. Her slow, deliberate movements and eerie stillness gave the character an otherworldly quality. Manning’s Dracula was more than just a villain; she was a force of nature, her every action steeped in menace. The way she scratched at the table, recoiled from a crucifix, and moved with grace left the audience transfixed. Her accent was consistently strong, and her overthe-top movements, such as ordering thunder and lightning, were perfectly in line with the play. At key moments, when Manning’s Dracula commanded the elements, the entire audience gasped and recoiled, so engrossed were they in her performance. Olivia Pickford brought much-needed levity to the production with her portrayal of Florrie Hathersage. The character, akin to Martha from The Secret Garden, offered humorous interjections that broke the tension in just the right places. Pickford’s comedic timing was spot-on, providing a delicate balance to the darker themes of the play without ever diminishing its intensity. She worked well with the rest of the cast, bringing charm and lightness to her scenes. She was well timed, attentive and portrayed the character as you would expect. Lucy, portrayed by Tia Anthony, had a fascinating transformation. Initially the delicate and gentle love interest of Doctor Seward, Lucy’s descent into madness after falling under Dracula was chilling to witness. Anthony handled the shift from sweet to sinister with finesse, her voice rising and falling with manic energy as she fully embodied Lucy’s possession. Her physicality in these scenes, especially her aggressive, frantic
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