28 May 2014
During the dark, cold nights of June, University of South Australia’s Magill campus will be transformed into an interactive theatre when students present an adaptation of the classic vampire tale of Dracula.
As part of the Adelaide Cabaret Fringe Festival, Nosferatu: The Undead will retell the Dracula story through a promenade production integrating music, song, video, soundscape and puppetry. Audience members will be led through UniSA’s Magill campus as they follow protagonist Jonathon Harker’s journey to Transylvania.
Director, producer and writer and UniSA lecturer Dr Russell Fewster says he set the adaption of Bram Stoker’s Dracula on the eve of WWl.
“Jonathan setting off for Transylvania becomes a metaphor for the many young men who set off for WW1 and who would be irrevocably altered by their experience,” Dr Fewster says.
“As an audience we literally follow Jonathan on his journey. This is a promenade performance which seeks to animate and dramatise the natural architecture of various spaces that Jonathan passes through such as corridors, Aroma café, Murray House and cloisters on Magill campus.”
More than 32 third year media arts students are involved in the production, including actor Glenn Rafferty who has worked in the film and performing arts industry for many years.
Dr Fewster says an important element of Nosferatu: The Undead is making sure the audience experiences the sensations of darkness, coldness, flesh and blood that often come to mind when thinking about Dracula.
“Our aim was to highlight the sensory aspects of this well-known horror tale,” he says.
“In order to do so, we referenced actual vampire bats to develop movement scores for Dracula and vampires. We wanted to find the animal within.
“The fact that vampire bats need blood every night to survive leads to a consistent theme within this adaptation. Dracula and vampires as animals are true to their natures while humans are not: the former kill to live the latter kill for ‘Empire’.
“Audiences should come prepared for the full experience – warm clothes and an umbrella if it’s raining are a must.”
Nosferatu: The Undead will preview on June 4 and the season will run from 5-7 June, 8pm at the Hartley Playhouse at UniSA’s Magill campus. The season is now fully booked but limited tickets are available for tonight’s (June 3) dress rehearsal. Tickets to the rehearsal are $10 and can be purchased at the door or by contacting Russell Fewster (contact details below).
For more information, go to: http://www.cabaretfringefestival.com/nosferatu/
Contact for interview
Russell Fewster office (08) 8302 4461 email russell.fewster@unisa.edu.au
Media Contact
Rosanna Galvin office (08) 8302 0578 mobile 0434 603 457 email rosanna.galvin@unisa.edu.au
