The Dracula Ballet, also referred to as Dracula; The Ballet, is a gothic horror ballet inspired by Bram Stoker’s novel, 1897, Dracula. This ballet intertwines the tale of Count Dracula, a known vampire figure with elements of ballet. Presented on stages by ballet companies the Dracula Ballet appeals to both children and adults due to its iconic gothic setting and romantic undertones.
Plot Summary
The narrative of the Dracula Ballet mirrors that of Stoker’s novel; Jonathan Harker ventures to Transylvania for a property negotiation, with Count Dracula but soon discovers that Dracula is a vampire leading to Harker being trapped in the Count’s castle. Subsequently, Dracula journeys to England in pursuit of Mina Harker’s fiancée and her friend Lucy whom he charms. The ballet portrays scenes of Dracula visiting Lucy at night in her chamber and her eventual demise and transformation into a vampire. Ultimately a group of heroes led by Professor Van Helsing come together to confront Dracula and protect his victims.
Choreography and Music
The choreography aims to capture the atmosphere of the gothic category – and the moral ambiguity of the characters – through gestural movement. Adaptations of Dracula for the ballet, created by Michael Pink and Ben Stevenson, among others, typically heighten the drama of the narrative by using techniques from classical- and contemporary-dance vocabularies to emphasize the supernatural and heightened emotional qualities inherent in the story.
Music is essential to creating the mood of the Dracula Ballet. Scores by Philip Feeney and Franz Liszt add drama and intensity to the plot and enhance select passages that demonstrate dark edges and haunted, mesmeric tones. The music also echoes the progression of the story, from romance to a swelling sense of horror.
Costumes and Set Design
Costume and set design are integral to the gothic experience of a Dracula Ballet. With ornate Victorian-era costumes to depict women such as Mina and Lucy in contrast to Dracula’s wide-shouldered, crimson attire, costumes enhance the gothic world in the theatre. Wide staircases and ornate, dark theme rooms found in many renditions of Dracula’s castle in Dracula ballets draw even deeper connections with the gothic experience of the audience. The set designs further immerse them in the gothic space, which enhances the theatrical experience beyond what a film could provide.
Impact and Reception
Also grounded in reality and tradition is the oft-lauded Dracula Ballet, whose classical/contemporary hybrid works have been produced by the dancer/choreographer Steven Norfleet ever since the world premiere on 22 October 2006 at the Methodist Centre, Hobart, Tasmania, and has earned nominations for three Green Room Awards. The ballet has since been produced by companies including the Milwaukee Ballet and the Houston Ballet with enthusiastic responses from both critics and audiences. It has also become a sought-after piece for the modern stage, with the Australian premiere of Dracula Spectacular in Adelaide, South Australia.
Conclusion
Combining the world of gothic fiction with ballet, The Dracula Ballet promises a narrative through movement, music, and design that is both dramatic and sexy. Although not a literal adaptation, some of the key scenes and characters of Bram Stoker’s novel are recreated, allowing for a deeper, darker exploration of both horror and passion. This makes The Dracula Ballet a must-see for both ballet enthusiasts and lovers of classic horror.