Plymouth welcomes great theatre this spring
Dracula would be turning in his grave to learn that a show about the vampire Count from Transylvania is actually breathing new life into a once-popular Plymouth venue.
Plymouth Athenaeum, which has a 340-seater auditorium, was mothballed for six years until it was reopened for a performance in November 2015 and subsequent small-scale shows including regular comedy nights.
The Le Navet Bete theatre company, which has close links to the city, is expected to draw big audiences to their new comedy show Dracula: The Bloody Truth which is being developed with the Barbican Theatre and is in association with Exeter Northcott.
The company, now based in Exeter, has grown a faithful fan base for productions which offer an anarchic and comedic twist on such stories as Dick Tracy, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and last year’s Christmas show at The Barbican Theatre – The Jungle Book. The Le Navet Bete team are committed to creating hilarious, physical and totally accessible comedy theatre using creative and engaging storytelling.
Dracula: The Bloody Truth will take audiences on a journey across Europe from the dark and sinister Transylvanian mountains to the awkwardly charming seaside town of Whitby whilst the frantic Van Helsing and his three amateur actors try to stage a life-changing, factual theatrical production of the events of Dracula.
It is being directed by one of the UK’s most exciting comedy directors, John Nicholson (Peepolykus) and designed by Phil Eddolls (Mark Bruce Company, Improbable Theatre).
Dracula: The Bloody Truth is at Exeter Northcott (30 March-1 April) and Plymouth Athenaeum (6-15 April) before a Devon tour in May which takes in Tavistock Community College, Chumleigh Community College, Bradworthy Memorial Hall, Dolton and South Brent Village Halls.
Visit lenavetbete.com for dates
