“Dracula”

Centre for the Performing Arts
Hamilton at Robson Streets
Vancouver, BC
WEB: http://www.centreinvancouver.com/

Performance Dates: October 22 - November 2, 2003
Ballet: Colorado Ballet
Director & Choreographer: Michael Pink

Starring:

Hua Zhaung as “Dracula”
Maria Mosina as “Mina”
Chandra Gercke as “Lucy”
Miguel Castro as “Jonathan”
Gregory Gonzales as “Dr. Van Helsing”
Andrew Thompson as “Renfield”

Reviewed by: Ian Moore and Sherri Smith

If the idea of attending the ballet while the World Series is on strikes horror in your heart, why not double your fright and attend “Dracula”, playing at the Centre in Vancouver for the Performing Arts. “Dracula”, as a ballet, you say?” It works better than you might think.

“Dracula”, after all, is not your modern ‘Freddy-slashes-naked-co-eds’ horror movie. It's a Victorian era gothic tale of repressed sexuality, seduction, and doom. The maidenly young women of Bram Stoker's tale might as well be ballerinas, and the Count himself cries out to be danced.

Hua Chuang is “Dracula”, beautifully and horrifically expressing the monster's grace, power, and animal magnetism. When not in majestic repose, he floats, slithers, flies, and pounces about the stage, while always maintaining a fearful, other worldly countenance. A cast of supporting dancers set the scenes and moves the story along, but it is the encounters between “Dracula” and his victims that are most compelling. “Jonathan”, “Mina”, and the already vamp-like “Lucy”, are in turn shocked, horrified, and mesmerized in their intimate dances with the vampire.

The sets for “Dracula” are elaborate and used to full advantage by the dancers. One scene, for instance, has “Dracula” gracefully descending in-tether down the framework of a high scaffold. The lighting is dramatic, and of course has a role of its own to play in the vampire story. The music is emotive, but would be more so were it performed live instead of recorded. The two-and-a half-hour performance includes two intermissions, which will please only chain smokers and those with the weakest of bladders. Parts of the show are a bit overwrought, especially the garden party scene where a cast of goofy characters bounces about in something resembling a Monty Python skit. Bring on the Count!

Since the ballet has no narration or dialogue, you'll naturally enjoy the show more if you have some acquaintance with the story and characters. Read the book or watch Francis Ford Coppola's movie. The latter features Gary Oldman as the “Count”, and you may enjoy comparing his performance with Hua Chuang's.

“Dracula” is a production of the Colorado ballet, choreographed by Michael Pink. It will no doubt displease some traditional ballet goers, but then half of the 2001 audience for “Dracula” were also first time Colorado ballet attendees. If gothic horror and vampire legends at all appeal to you, you won't want to miss this performance. And who knows? You may be intrigued enough by the dance to want to attend a more tradition ballet someday.

“Dracula” is playing until November 2nd at the Centre. Attend in costume on Halloween and you'll get a discounted ticket, a chance to win a swanky hotel night for two, and an invite to a reception following the performance.