Dracula Triumphant

Here goes... I was a cast member but don't hold my comments with less credibility than the public reviewers who (despite the - I acknowledge - absurd ticket prices) neglected to realise this was a community theatre production. Thus, in their personal ego boosting reviews have slammed everything about the show based on a single viewing. I was involved and know how and why it was a flop. Firstly realise: the written show was poor, therefore no matter how talented the cast, it would still be looked upon with distaste and negativity. The moment I read the show I knew it was crap, my opinion never changed - even at the preview performance when the FIRST full run was done, which in any language is unprofessional. The reason I continued with this show was the prospect of performing at the Theatre Royal. The daily telegraph got it right when they said: "the actors did their best with a weak script". Aaron wrote some great orchestration - emotive with themes and although it wasnÂ’t consistently strong it wasn't complimented by DavidÂ’s lyrics. For a show that is sung throughout, he used way to many metaphors! No wonder no one understood the musical, I could just imagine how clever they thought they were as they justified to each other how one line represented a whole theme that really only the mentally elite (or psychotic) could grasp. What I am saying is that the performers did the best they could with very little - full credit to that.
The dream of Aaron and David should be congratulated - at least they tried, which is more than any of the negative reviewers can say. What a daring task. Seriously well done to them. On the other hand, I don’t know of anyone who would work with them again. The power trip they were on was, when not insulting, amusing. This led to arrogance and greed, which in turn led to the demise of a show. I can’t believe they RATED THEMSELVES SO HIGHLY as to base all media – which was crap – on themselves. Who are they?? I can’t believe they so deceptively conducted themselves as to mislead the cast and crew it would be a professionally conducted production and then insult them by putting everyone so far out-of-pocket. And I can’t believe such a good bunch of people (cast, orchestra, principals, backstage) could be treated so badly. Stuff up after stuff up, broken promises and insulting comments led to the cast forming a tight group. The show should have been tested somewhere other than the Royal - I was embarrassed to ask friends to come at such a high price when I knew the show was "weird", although, “weird” can be good but this was immature. However, there were some good performances and audience members enjoyed it.
Overall I enjoyed my experience of being a part of this show because of the fabulous people in the cast. They put so much effort in, it was a shame our spirits kept getting slammed by poor organization from ignorantly immature creators. I hope the creators have fallen off their high horse and learnt how to treat people with an essential quality: MORALITY!!
Congratulations to the cast for doing so well with what we had, for your positive high spirits. To the principals – all comments from family, friends, other cast members etc have said how Tim, Simon, Michelle and Virginia held the show – you are incredibly talented – good luck! Well done to the creators for their dream. Apologies to the public for such a poorly scripted and organised show – I hope we can all move on and give you great theatre in the future.