Follow TV Tropes

Following

Context Theatre / Dracula1924

Go To

1Hamilton Deane's stage adaptation of ''Dracula'' was the first authorized adaptation of [[Literature/{{Dracula}} Bram Stoker's novel]]. It was first performed in Derby, England in 1924, starring Edmund Blake in the title role and Deane as Professor Van Helsing, before moving to London three years later with Raymond Huntley taking over as the Count.
2
3Deane's script was significantly revised by John L. Balderston before the play crossed the Atlantic in 1927, and this revised version has been the basis for most subsequent stage productions. The 1927 Broadway production starred Creator/BelaLugosi as Count Dracula and Edward Van Sloan as Professor Van Helsing. It was a major influence on the [[Film/Dracula1931 Universal film version]] made three years later, in which Lugosi and Van Sloan reprised their roles. Many of the ClassicalMovieVampire tropes codified by the 1931 film had originated in the stage play (Dracula's black cape with its HighCollarOfDoom, for instance, was designed as part of a disappearing effect).
4
5The 1977 Broadway revival, starring Creator/FrankLangella and featuring very memorable sets by Creator/EdwardGorey, was the basis of the [[Film/Dracula1979 1979 film version]].
6
7Aside from Lugosi and Langella, later productions have seen the Count be played by Creator/RaulJulia, Creator/JeremyBrett, and Creator/TerenceStamp.
8----
9!!This play contains examples of:
10
11* AdaptationNameChange: In the 1927 revised version, the play's Mina Weston is the equivalent of the novel's Lucy Westenra, while the play's Lucy Seward is the equivalent of the novel's Mina Murray, and Jonathan Harker's first name becomes John. (In the original 1924 version, they all have their original names).
12* AdaptedOut:
13** In the revised version Lucy's entire subplot in the novel is cut, except for her being killed by Dracula, revived as a vampire, and killed again by Van Helsing, all of which happens off-stage and is related second-hand, so Lucy/Mina never appears in person. Two of her suitors, Quincey and Arthur, are dropped entirely, while Dr Seward becomes Mina/Lucy's [[RelatedInTheAdaptation father instead]].
14** Many of the novel's minor characters are left out entirely.
15* BreakingAndBloodsucking: Dracula enters Lucy's bedroom after it gets de-garliced by the maid under Dracula's influence.
16* ClassicalMovieVampire
17* CompressedAdaptation: The action of the play begins after Dracula has already arrived in England, killed Lucy (Mina in the play) and turned his attentions to Mina (Lucy in the play). The final confrontation occurs in his house in England, dropping the final section of the novel in which Dracula escapes back to Transylvania.
18* GenderFlip: In the original 1924 production, Quincey Morris was portrayed as female.
19* PragmaticAdaptation: To better match the actors available in Deane's company, Quincey Morris was made a woman for the 1924 production.

Top