REVIEW: NOSFERATU Theatre Non Grata at Etcetera Theatre, Camden 26 – 31 October

‘Hugely entertaining horror comedy makeover' ★★★ ½

Nosferatu takes its title from a 1922 expression German Horror film loosely based on Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula.   In this comedy makeover, some of the original features shine through, with the use of excellent silent-movie type physical theatre as comic interludes within the story.  The team work cleverly as an ensemble to really good effect with audiences doubled over with laughter.

There are some new additions, with their 30s & 40s production voices and costume design, reminiscent of the talking pictures.    The script has more than a few modern twists with feminism and gender switched roles. The swap works really well to bring a subtext which certainly wasn’t part of the original film. Not surprisingly it uses double entendre with ease, whilst this feels a bit cheap, it is shamelessly hilarious (along with a couple of other sexually honest gags).  There are plenty of ‘will they, won’t they’ conflicts and a very clear and satisfying ending.

Henry Charnock as Margaret Hutter steals the show with eyes which you could fall into, and a sensuality very suited to the subject matter. Blake Heaven as Count Orlak underplays the role to perfection, with a deadpan face but very expressive hands. Eleanor Homer as Philip Hutter is believable and whilst Jessica Olim doesn’t quite convince as Van Helsing, she does have some fancy dance moves.

The sound effects and music choices were ideal, in part something like the overbearing original but often giving the audience’s ears some respite.  It certainly referenced more recent horror movies giving the feeling that the show covers a lot of ground and then there were the songs.  Charnock’s lip syncing to James Brown’s ‘I Put a Spell on You’, was one of the highlights of the show.   

The play sits well in the black box of the Etcetera Theatre, but we could have done without the head on the table which was so badly done it was just naff. It’s an ambitious piece which certainly had us all in stitches, and it’s bound to be a show pleaser for horror comedy fans. A little more polish is needed, but many aspects of the show were spot on.   Promising stuff.

NOSFERATU

Theatre Non Grata

Etcetera Theatre, Camden

26 – 31 October

Box Office https://www.citizenticket.co.uk/events/etcetera-theatre/nosferatu-hellip/

Cast & Crew       

Van Helsing        Jessica Olim

Margaret Hutter Henry Charnock

Philip Hutter      Eleanor Homer

Count Orlok       Blake Heaven

Script         Henry Charnock with Samuel Leaver

Directors   Ensemble

Artistic Directors         Henry Charnock & Elena Joannides

Associate Producer     Eleanor Homer

Technician Kirsty Yeung

Review: Heather Jeffery is Editor of London Pub Theatres Magazine