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Dracula by Liz Lochead - Renfield

- Dukes Theatre, Lancaster. Directed by Ian Forrest.

Liz Lochead's very modern, freudian take on this classic tale is an absorbing study in the power of repressed sexuality. By focussing on the women in the story, she removes the play from the cliches of the 'horror film' and brings it back into the realm of psychological drama. There is an extraordinary emotional charge that runs through the piece, beautifully realised by Kate Paul as Mina and Amanda Pointer as the doomed Lucy. Bev Willis was a subtle and carefully understated Dracula.

The part of Renfield is not an easy one. The action of the play is 'filtered' through his eyes, so that he comments on or foreshadows events to which he is not directly a party, acting almost like a 'chorus' in the classical sense. For this reason he remains on stage throughout the majority of the play (including the pre-show and interval) so there is no chance for a rest during the three hours the play runs. Also, the part is written as a paranoid schizophrenic - although there is sense and meaning in what he says, that sense is hidden behind layers of seeming non-sequitors, nonsense rhymes, tangential digressions and random quotes. This makes the part horrendous to learn, and requires enormous concentration to keep the thought-processes 'on track' through the evening. Although I loved this part I was not wholly sorry when the run came to an end.

"Jon Glentoran, as the manacled Renfield, is charismatic and striking in his insane ramblings..."

"...the most frightening perforamnce comes from Renfield (Jon Glentoran)"

"Jon Glentoran's Dukes debut, as ranting Renfield, is remarkable - rarely off-stage...he has all the charisma..." (The Stage)

"The best performances came from Jon Glentoran as the madman, Renfield, and the nurse, played by Joanna Bacon..."

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