Since Halloween is right around the corner, I’d like to give a shout-out to my friend Jeff Chips, whose Pittsburg-based theater company Steel City Shakespeare, is currently producing a theatrical version of “Dracula.”
I’ve interviewed Mr. Chips in the past. His company specializes in fast-paced, physical, and clever interpretations of the classics with a deep love for Pittsburgh.
Dracula and Shakespeare
Although we usually associate Dracula with books and movies, the gothic horror story actually has a long theatrical history, that is inexplicably intertwined with Shakespeare. Bram Stoker, the author of the book, began his writing career as a theater critic for the fabled Lyceum Theater in London:
Working on a review for Hamlet in 1873, Stoker came to the attention of Sir Henry Irving, one of the most celebrated actor-managers of the 19th century, famous for playing Shylock, Cardinal Woolsey, and many others. According to gossip of the time, Stoker and Irving were extremely close, and Stoker might have even based part of Dracula’s character on Sir Henry.
Folger Shakespeare collection: Henry Irving and Bram Stoker
Dracula is a character with a profound ability to bewitch the mind. Like Richard III, he is a seducer, in spite of his repellant personality. Like Macbeth, Dracula romanticizes Death, as well as the creatures of the night. And like Shakespeare himself, Dracula is immortal and has appeared and re-appeared in every form of media in popular culture. Perhaps Stoker owes more to Shakespeare than he does to Sir Henry.
If you go see this production, leave me a comment either on my website, or my Twitter page (@Shakestud). I’d love to know what you think of Steel City Shakespeare! Click the link below to buy tickets:
https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/steel-city-shakespeare-center/62f3e1d6f7c45d0e4034c648/
