A powerful new stage adaptation of Dracula – relocated to Aberdeenshire and the north-east – will make its world premiere at His Majesty’s Theatre.
Dracula: Mina’s Reckoning is an atmospheric, gothic horror penned by award-winning Elgin-born playwright Morna Pearson and staged in a collaboration with the National Theatre Of Scotland and Aberdeen Performing Arts.
Set in a psychiatric hospital in Aberdeenshire in 1897, this unique adaptation puts Mina Murray at the centre of the action as she seeks refuge from the horrors she has experienced – including the terrifying beast, Dracula.
Dracula is described as dripping with Morna’s trademark humour, theatricality, and her taste for the strange, the shocking and the grotesque.
Writer excited at placing Dracula in the ‘familiar setting’ of the north-east
She said: “I was excited to adapt Dracula and place it in the familiar setting of the north-east, the place where my writing feels at home. I wanted to examine themes of our times – fear, trauma, and powerlessness – in ways the horror genre lends itself to.”
Morna added that with Stoker drawing influence from Cruden Bay, it felt appropriate to relocate the narrative to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, exploring the area and characters she finds inspirational.
“There is room for more horror and stories from the north-east in theatre, so I am thrilled that my first large-scale production is a bold retelling of Dracula set there.”
The drama sees Mina joined by the hospital patients – played by an all-women and non-binary ensemble – as they create a unique version of Bram Stoker’s classic.
Together they create a world where immortality and power is possible – even for women – but with terrible consequences.
Excitement at world-class creative team bringing Dracula to HMT
Directed by Olivier-award winner Sally Cookson (A Monster Calls), Dracula: Mina’s Reckoning will have its world premiere at His Majesty’s on September 7 next year, before touring across Scotland – including Eden Court – and then Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, which is associated with the production.
Ben Torrie, director of programming and creative projects at Aberdeen Performing Arts, said the arts organisation had been searching for a co-production with the National Theatre Of Scotland for some time and Dracula was the perfect one.
“Given Bram Stoker’s connections to and love of the region, the north-east of Scotland is the perfect setting for this stunning retelling of Dracula,” he said.
“We can’t wait to see what this world-class creative team does with this classic tale and look forward to sharing the world premiere with audiences in Aberdeen.”
Earlier this year, Cruden Bay celebrated the 125th anniversary of Dracula being written in the village during Stoker’s visits.
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