By Lexi McFarlane, Times Chronicle
Fans of performing arts are sinking their teeth into the latest theatre performance being put on by the South Okanagan Amateur Players (SOAP).
“Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” ran for the first of two weekend segments, from November 7 to 9, at the Venables Theatre. Its opening set of shows drew stellar reviews, and brought in both new and returning fans. While the previous weekend attendance was described by SOAP President Carrie Shogan as “average”, the fact that there were more shows gave more opportunity for patrons to attend.
“We had extra performances, so on average it was the same as we usually get, and we did see some new faces, which was nice,” Shogan says.
“Dracula”, as performed by SOAP, re-imagines the traditional tale of the iconic fictional vampire, Count Dracula, featuring famed vampire hunter Jean van Helping and her team as they chase Dracula from the rugged Transylvanian lands, to London and rural Britain, and back again.
SOAP photo
The production features a wide variety of pop culture references and puns, endearing itself likewise to audience members of “all blood types” through a fast, witty and hilarious 90-minute runtime.
Much like how the production works in pop culture references old and new, it has blended in fresher faces on its cast.
“We’ve got a younger cast – we’ve got new cast and crews, so that’s always nice to see, rather than the same faces again and again,” Shogan explains, saying it’s especially exciting when the younger members stick around.
“Then they’re there, all really excited to continue on with SOAP, which allows us to kind of broaden what we can put on as well. We’re not just stuck with middle-age roles, and we can put on ‘Dracula’, or ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’, with that younger cast- and crews.”
Shogan also states that “Dracula” hasn’t been afraid to try new things, with the most notable first being the use of a projector for scenery and backdrops. But, overall, the production in and of itself is one fang-tastic ball of innovation.
“There’s that (vibe of) classic Gothic horror meets young Frankenstein/Mel Brooks, which gives a lot of leeway for making those jumps land,” Shogan says cheerfully.
The production will be around for one more set of four shows, but with a Thursday to Saturday schedule this time instead of Friday to Sunday. This Saturday, November 15, will include a matinee performance and a night show, just like the previous Saturday.
Shogan says the reviews of the attendees from the first weekend give extra incentive to those looking to attend the shows during the second weekend slate.
“We’re never too worried about attendance in the first week, but that word-of-mouth plays such a big role in attendance in the second weekend,” she says.
“Dracula” will run from November 13 to 15 at the Venables Theatre, and tickets can still be purchased both in-advance and at the door. Admission is $24 in advance, $26 at the door, and special student pricing ($18) and group admission ($20 per person, groups of 10 or more) rates are available.
