Dracula spoof sinks its teeth into Shields and Sunderland pubs for Halloween

Pubs are set to play host to a new spoof production of the Dracula story, as it prepares to tread the boards at next year’s Whitby Goth Weekend.

From the mind of Tyneside playwright Ed Waugh, who came up with the idea for the show after a friend raved about the popular annual event, Dracula: Die Laughing sees the Count on the run from vampire hunters and hiding out amid the festival’s crowds in the North Yorkshire seaside town.

“My mate Les went to the Whitby Goth Weekend last year and he never stopped talking about it,” said Ed. “So I agreed to go with him next year but I felt if we were going it should be with a play.

“Everyone knows about Dracula being a vampire, and how it was at Whitby that he first came ashore, and I felt we could have great fun with a spoof about Dracula being a bit past his best and, being pursued by Vampire hunters, takes refuge at the Goth Weekend.

“We spoke to the organisers and they want to include us in the official programme alongside the bands, so we are delighted to be a part of the event next April.”

As practice for their big performance in front of up to 12,000 people from all over the world the cast, including Corrine Kilvington, Paul Dunn, Lauren Waine – who will play Sleeping Beauty in this year’s pantomime at the Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre – and Craig Richardson are taking the play on a tour of some of the region’s pubs, with performances at the Jarrow Brewery owned Magnesia Bank in North Shields tonight, and Isis in Sunderland from Halloween to November 2.

Director Gareth Hunter, of Ion Productions, said pubgoers should enjoy “a cracking evening’s entertainment.”

“The script is hilarious,” he said. “The show includes audience interaction and we initially want to run it at intimate venues in preparation for the Whitby event and a regional tour next year.

“This is Dracula as never seen before. People will actually feel sympathy for the poor old soul.”

The performances start at 7.30pm and tickets cost £8, or £5 for the “unwaged.”

To book call the Magnesia Bank on 0191 257 8392, the Isis on 0191 514 7684 or visit the Dracula: Die Laughing Facebook page. 

 

People are welcome to come in Gothic costume.”