Tag: Bram Stoker

Luc Bresson’s Dracula Has Enough Bite To Be Memorable

Luc Besson’s Dracula: A Love Tale reshapes the familiar myth with a sweeping origin, a centuries-long hunt for reincarnated love, and a boldly camp performance from Caleb Landry Jones. It’s uneven in its digital effects, but the pulp energy and gothic romance make it a surprisingly fun Valentine-season watch.

Luc Bresson's Dracula Movie PosterLuc Besson’s Dracula: A Love Tale is certainly a different beast. Just when fans of the vampire tale think they’re getting another retelling of Bram Stoker’s classic, what’s presented here begins elsewhere. It offers a great deal of backstory that may have been imagined but never fully dramatized. The novel itself is structured as a series of letters, memos, and recordings recounting how the Count made it to London.

In this auteur’s take, the broader backdrop remains familiar, but the narrative lens shifts. The universe is largely set in France, though any revolutionary parallels feel faint at best. Instead, the focus rests on the Ottoman invasion of Romania, and how young Prince Vladimir (Caleb Landry Jones) vows to save his people from this encroaching tyranny. His fear is not only for his homeland but for Elisabeta’s (Zoë Bleu) safety. Should the enemy breach their borders, she would be taken prisoner. He knows this all too well.

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Brian Richmond’s Adaptation of Dracula Continues at Blue Bridge Theatre!

Artistic Director Brian Richmond’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic 19th century gothic horror story is back! The next part of the dramatised reading of parts one and two is set to thrill, and this time it’ll be Dracula in Red.

 DraculaBlue Bridge Theatre
2657 Quadra St
Victoria, BC

Showtimes:
Saturday, February 26, 2022

  • Dracula In Black – 5:00 pm
  • Dracula In White – 6:30 pm
  • Dracula In Red – 8:00 pm

Artistic Director Brian Richmond‘s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic 19th century gothic horror story is back! The next part of the dramatised reading of parts one and two is set to thrill, and this time it’ll be Dracula in Red.

For avid radio drama enthusiasts, there’s over six hours of material to get reacquainted with, or those who want to get to the meat can partake in a particular section. Each colourized section focuses on a specific group of chapters, so that attendees are only getting part of a greater picture, which will cumulate to the ultimate confrontation with the master of darkness himself!

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[Victoria, B.C.] You’ll have to Wait … for Dracula: Blood is Life if you Dare

And no October can go without some kind of horror themed experience until Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolfman are here

Dracula2-300x287Two shows have been added on Oct 28th to Giggling Iguana‘s production of Dracula: Blood is Life. This interactive theatre show is playing at Craigdarroch Castle, located in Victoria, B.C. Canada. At time of press, tickets are available via wait-listing by phoning the Castle and these added shows are reportedly to have been sold out. All other shows are at capacity as people planned for their All Hallow’s Eve fun during last weekend.

I reviewed this play last year for 28DLA.com. In summary, this site-specific theatrical show proves that even a complex novel like Bram Stoker’s Dracula can be distilled down to its very essence. To see it performed without missing the most important themes from this Irish novelist’s work in under an hour is very impressive. This year, this production is kicking the terror up a notch with what I hope to be more supernatural delights in the form of poltergeist activity. More bite is definitely going to be added.

Despite what the Castle management tells its tourists and staff, this building is indeed haunted!

And no October can go without some kind of horror themed experience until Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolfman are here. Well, maybe next year. The full moon has passed. At least there is no holding the terror down. If the popularity of this particular play is an indication, Dracula: Blood is Life might become a staple for the Halloween tradition here in Victoria. But Ian Case, director of Giggling Iguana Productions, has confirmed that there will be a new show next year.

At least for the time being, all Dracula can say, “Fangs for the memories!”