vlad.txt

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http://www.nightnews.net/fringe2007.htm#vlad
Title: Dracula - Black & White Rainbow
3 silver bats

This production is a thoroughly enjoyable adaptation of the much 
regurgitated 'Dracula' story. It was beautiful to watch, with the 
most minimalist stage set, a remarkable use of light flashes and 
darkness and a voiceover, all coming together to give this show its 
haunting and dark atmosphere. The plot remained true to the original
story but with the slightly new twists of giving Count Dracula a 
homoerotic characterisation and by giving Mina and Lucy's friendship
(on the surface girly, playful and physically touchy-feely) a 
homosexual undercurrent. This original association of vampirism
with gay sexuality worked quite well in contributing to the creepy
atmosphere. The Count seems debilitated by his gayness, feeding on
women only because they are easier prey or so he says to Van Helsing
in their showdown, '..your women are already mine..!' In the end it 
all falls into society's hetero-space, the homo-erotic Count is 
killed by five men and the by now 'impure' wife Mina is saved though 
'staked' through the heart by her husband. The stage may light up 
instantly at the end but it is not to make a statement about gender
equality or sexual orientation. It is otherwise a visually enjoyable
performance of one of the darkest stories. 

By Catharina Crisan