This Dracula was spectacular

All the qualities that go into making a performance by the Congleton Amateur 
Youth Theatre such a treat were once again in evidence in the group's new 
production, "The Dracula Spectacular."

The latest offering from this talented group of youngsters has been de
lighting audiences all week at the Daneside Theatre, with two performances 
left to come tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday).

Every single member of an enthusiastic and energetic cast put their all into 
creating a fast-paced musical extravaganza that provided cracking enter
tainment.

The musical, written by John Gardiner with music by Andrew Parr, gave the 
group full licence to show off their singing and acting ability.

The same production team behind the earlier success of "Bugsy Malone" - 
director, Rachael Adams, musical director, Simon Callaghan, and choreog
rapher Jean Patterson - exploited the sizzling score and adventurous script to 
the full, providing a brash, colourful, foot-tapping spectacle.

"The Dracula Spectacular" tells the tale of the forces of good against evil as 
the Lord of the Vampires seeks to seduce the sweet and vulnerable American 
school teacher, Miss Nadia Naive.

She is protected by handsome English doctor Nick Necrophilia and his friend 
Father O'Stake, who are also assisted by Herr Hans and Frau Gretel.

The Count, his sidekick Genghis, and his mother Countess Wraith have 
created a blood-like substance on which they survive and they plan to take over 
the world using an army of undead creatures.

Good meets evil at the castle by the black lake as the show speeds towards a 
thrilling climax and an intriguing twist.

While perhaps unfair to pick out individuals in a production that was a 
success because of the hard work of all, Louise Hulme stole the show for her 
performance as Dracula's mother.

Exhibiting the confidence of an absolute natural, she played the part of an 
overbearing, domineering mother to perfection, creating a character that was 
part-Hyacinth Bouquet, part-Sybil Fawlty, with exceptional timing and a 
commanding stage presence.

Her references to her evil son as "Draccy" (much to the Count's annoyance) 
carried out with comic aplomb, showed that even a vampire lord can be bossed 
around by his mother.

The excellent Chris Morris conveyed the necessary amount of evil in the lead 
role, evidenced by the boos from the young audience at the final curtain, and 
Steve Rawlinson and Becky Adams are to be congratulated for their superb 
harmonies in the numbers "Just the way" and "Starry spheres."

The dancing, jabbering, jumping, chuckling out-patients were also a light 
touch from director Rachael Adams, never failing to amuse during their 
frequent appearances.

There was no sign of first-night nerves and the show crackled along to a 
rousing finale which saw the actors completing the last number among the audi
ence - drawing richly deserved applause for their efforts at the end.

Perhaps the biggest compliment to the production is that on a hot and sticky 
night in the theatre, the cast were unflagging, and the audience were absorbed 
right until the last note.

S.H.

Cast- Count Dracula: Chris Morris; Nadia Naive: Becky Adams; Doctor 
Nick: Steve Rawlinson; Countess Wraith: Louise Hulme; Kelly: Clare de 
Coninck; Julie: Louise Ashman; Elvis: Craig Watson; Herr Hans: Chris 
Ashman;Frau Gretel: Sarah Woodward; Father O'Stake: Laurie Innes; Genghis: 
Alex Bond; Airways Pilot: Jonathan Watson; Master Landau: Damien Morris.

 Out-patients- Clod: Sarah Thomason; Looby: Simon Austin; Scrub: Hester 
Bond; Scratch: Tim Innes; Raff: Hollian Wint; Booze: Claire Beresford; Riff: 
Debbie Hull; Boots: Lucia Pinto; Bogie: Amelia Wong; Dregs: Jack Carroll.

Dancers- Linden Wint, Jayne Harvey, Laura Foster, Emma Carroll, Rachel 
Lovatt.

Pretty Singers- Becky Heys, Debbie Hull, Kirsty Morris.

Brides, Zombies and Chorus: Suzanne Bedford, Kirsty Morris, Becky Heys, 
Holly Azmeh, Kate Banks, Sarah Thomason, Hester Bond, Hollian Wint, Claire 
Beresford, Debbie Hull, Jonathan Watson, Anthony Crossley, Damien Morris, 
Simon Austin, Tim Innes, Jack Carroll, Emma Atherton, Stephanie Hardern, 
Amelia Wong, Lucia Pinto.

Musicians- Electric piano: Simon Callaghan; Electric guitar: Christopher 
Davies; Bass guitar: Melanie Haslem; Drums: Richard Lister.

Production Team- Director: Rachael Adams; Musical Director: Simon 
Callaghan; Choreographer: Jean Patterson; Set design and building: Diane 
Heys, Richard Innes, Howard Ball, and Dave Callaghan; Stage Manager: 
Richard Innes; Properties: Carol Wint, Philip Adams, Lisa Smith, Jane 
Turnbull, and Lucy Chadwick; Prompt: Margaret Hoult; Sound engineers: 
Marc Halstead, and Chris Edwards; Lighting engineers: Dave Callaghan and 
Tom Watson; Followspot operators: Carol Wint and Michael Stanley; Stage 
crew: Kevin Carroll, Stan Davies and Team; House manager: Philip Adams; 
Front of house: Mary Adams and Team; Bar manager: Howard Ball; Cast 
announcer: Kay Banks; Wardrobe: Jean Patterson and Katrina Watson; 
Dressers: Parents and friends of Congleton Amateur Youth Theatre; Make-up: 
Sarah Chadwick; Hairdresser: Trudie Wong; Publicity: Katrina Watson.

Refreshments: Rosina Morrison; First aid: Katrina Watson; Ticket secretary: 
Mary Adams.