Climbing up the small flight of stairs to the Stables theatre I was more than a little curious as to what kind of experience we were about to get with this first Stables (independent) show for the year.
As scenarios go this was pretty left field. A ballet performance of Swan Lake begins. A dancer pirouettes across the stage unaware that a vampire lurks in the front row. Like a bolt of lightning the vampire jumps out of the front row and attacks the dancer, pouncing on him and administering a fatal bite….
Folks, the show, needless to say, does not die along with the dancer. Our vampire is a frustrated dancer and for that matter romantic, and he decides that it is the perfect time for him to act, to dance and to take over the show.
What ensues is the vampire, Nosferatutu – what a clever, tongue in cheek choice of name, performs his own very extravagant, outrageous version of Swan Lake, and he is joined on stage by the usher who can’t help herself from jumping up on stage and joining in the action.
This is a highly entertaining show. The performances are excellent. Tommy Bradson,who is also the writer of the piece, makes for a compelling ‘monster’ with a troubled past, who feels things way too much.
Sheridan Harbridge, who also directed the piece, plays the usher who falls for him and who is subsumed by his story.
Both Bradson and Harbridge showcase strong voices and prove themselves to be very talented music theatre performers.
Brandyn Kacmarcyzk plays the dancer whose dancing on stage is very short lived, and who spends much of his time on stage as a bloodied corpse.
The performers are accompanied on stage – at the back of the stage to be precise – by a crack band comprising Steven Kremmer (also the Musical Director) on keys, Sally Schinkel-Brown on cello, and Olga Solar on violin.
Recommended, a night at the theatre where the emphasis is on having a play and a dabble with the worlds of ballet and horror, NOSFERATUTU is playing the SBW Stables theatre, Kings Cross until January 21.
http://Griffintheatre.com.au