Review
Published: Wednesday 15 December, 2010 by Jackie Chappell, Bath Chronicle
What a bunch of troupers they were – despite six of the principal cast members being struck down by very non-vampiric ailments the show went on even if, in some cases, the voices were a bit croaky.
Thursday night's opening performance of John Gardiner's Dracula Spectacula went ahead with Cast Two of this two-cast production that gives dozens of youngsters the chance to feature on alternate days in this lively spoof musical.
The show opens in dramatic style with lots of dry ice, spooky scenes projected on to the back of the auditorium and a host of zombies snaking their way into our midst.
It is followed by a crazy tale of a naïve teacher, Nadia, taking her pupils on a geography trip that lands them in the hands of Count Dracula.
Numerous adventures on the way include an encounter with Hansel and Gretel, a love story and the ultimate defeat of Dracula and his evil zombies by means of Aqua Glublick, a potent local brew.
Some lively songs, a touch of humour and the evident enjoyment of both cast and audience carry the show along at a cracking pace.
Edo Minott – looking rather like a young David Tennant – made an excellent Count Dracula, especially in the cabaret number Genius with top hat and cane.
Holly Bodimeade gave an assured performance as Nadia Naïve, as did Tom Cook as Father O'Stake.
Enyo Humphrey-Ackumey was very funny as Dracula's servant Genghis, as was Nathan Curtis as the sozzled pilot – "no playing billy suggers" – on the Transylvania flight.
And Jordan Frost gave a touching, if occasionally inaudible, performance as Nadia's love interest and saviour as Nick Necrophiliac.
The choreography of such a large cast in a small space was excellent and the whole performance was carried off with verve and enthusiasm.
Congratulations to the youngsters, to director Ann Garner and to musical director Carl Speck.