Dracula Continues To Cast Its Spell Across The Country
Written by Sophie Cornett - ScoopAU
Dracula, an iconic Gothic character created by Bram Stoker in 1897, has always intrigued and delightfully horrified audiences. BIG Live, otherwise known as Ballet International Gala, has unleashed a haunting new ballet adaptation, and it is absolutely spectacular.
The ability to tell a story solely through music and dance, as is the hallmark of narrative ballet, is incredibly powerful. Dracula is a marvellous example of this, with the dancers perfectly reflecting the desire, terror and power that dominate the tale.
Choreographer and Artistic Director Joel Burke has made magnificent storytelling decisions with this adaptation. For those new to ballet or seeking to clarify some of the nuances of the narrative, it may be worthwhile to purchase a program to review the synopsis beforehand. However, even without this, the plot is easy to follow with a strong emphasis on the emotions and relationships between the key characters.
It was a delight to see audience members descend upon Sydney’s iconic State Theatre in all their gothic finery on opening night. This is the second stop on the national tour, which also sees the company performing in New Zealand, with Dunedin just announced as a new stop!
The impeccable set design by Eric Luchen perfectly transports viewers from the opening battlefield to Dracula’s castle in Transylvania. Dan Sharp’s lighting design is evocative and perfectly highlights the emotions of each scene. The costume design reflects all the splendour of the era, while also becoming a powerful contributor to the storytelling.
The cast of dancers are magnificent. It is awe-inspiring to see the grace, power and intention behind their movement as they collaborate to perform this story. Ervin Zagidullin portrays Dracula, perfectly encapsulating the terrifying power and heart-wrenching emotions of the titular role.
Joel Burke and Abbey Hansen perform in the roles of newlyweds Jonathan and Mina. The two perform beautifully both together and in solo dances as they face the many trials the story throws their way. The pas de deux moments between these three lead characters are a stunning reflection of the relationship dynamics that drive the tale.
The four Ghosts, as portrayed by Giselle Osborne, Rose Maloney, Mia Zanardo and Emilia Bignami, are an absolute highlight. They haunt the stage with precision and a magnetism that draws audiences in. The Corps De Ballet perfectly round out the cast, representing the catastrophic consequences of the decisions made throughout the narrative.
BIG Live have compiled a beautiful selection of classical music for this production. It is amazing to see and hear how familiar pieces take on brand new meaning in the context of the story. In particular, the finale is spectacular, perfectly blending intensity and emotion set to the 1812 Overture.
There are some dark and scary moments within this production, but the themes are handled in a tasteful and artistic manner. However, it may be worthwhile noting the content warnings when deciding whether to bring children to the show.
While Dracula only inhabited Sydney for two evenings, it has left an undeniable mark. This tragic tale has been so beautifully told by the performers and creative team, leaving audiences in awe of the storytelling power of ballet.
Dracula by BIG Live ran in Sydney from 11 – 12 September and continues its tour of Australia and New Zealand. See full dates below.