Dracula (1924 play)

Dracula is a play by Hamilton Deane from 1924, based on the novel by Bram Stoker, and was thoroughly revised in 1927 by John L. Balderston. The piece was the first adaptation of the famous vampire novel, which had been authorized by Stoker's widow.

• 3.1 Awards received
• 3.2 nominations

• 4.1 Deanes original production
• 4.2 Balderstons edited production

Background

In the production of the original version of Raymond Huntley played the role of Dracula. Deane originally planned to play the title role himself, but ultimately decided on the part of Van Helsing. The play toured for three years successfully by England before it came to London.

1927 piece by the producer Horace Liveright was brought to the United States to Broadway. He hired John L. Balderston, so that revised the piece for American audiences. In the edited U.S. production Count Dracula played the Hungarian- born actor Bela Lugosi, in his first English-language lead role, alongside Edward Van Sloan as Van Helsing. Both actors played their roles again in 1931 shot by Tod Browning film adaptation of the Deane - Balderston - piece.

In an effort to streamline the action as possible, many characters were canceled out or rewritten. For example, the roles of Lucy Westenra and Mina Murray were merged into one character called Lucy Seward. Dr. Seward was fashioned from Lucy's suitor to her father and the roles Quincey Morris and Arthur Holmwood were deleted entirely.

1977 Dracula was again listed under the direction of Dennis Rosa. The sets and costumes were designed by Edward Gorey and the title role was played by Frank Langella, who also, just like the time Lugosi, took over the role in John Badham's film version of 1979. The play won the Tony Award in the Best Resume and Best Costume Design, and received nominations in the categories of Best Set and Best Actor ( Langella ). Subsequent Starring in the title role on Broadway were, among others, David Dukes, Raul Julia and Jean leclerk. In the London production Terence Stamp played Count Dracula and U.S. touring productions were Martin Landau and Jeremy Brett to see.

Productions

London - Deanes original production

Broadway, New York - Balderstons revised production

Resumption of the revised production

Other productions

Since December 13, 2010 can be seen at New York's Off-Broadway revival of a Deanes & Balderstons Dracula directed by Paul Alexander. In the title role of the Italian- born actor and singer Michel Altieri debuts. The scene was set by Dana Kenn, costumes by Willa Kim.

TV recording from the Düsseldorf Kom (m) ödchen from November 24, 1972

Awards and nominations

Awards received

Nominations

Deviations from the original literary

Deanes original production

• When Lucy is presented that is her last name instead of Westera Westenra.
• The piece begins to Minas death that is mentioned - but never shown.
• The figure Quincey Morris was rewritten into a woman.

Balderstons edited production

• The characters Arthur Holmwood and Quincey Morris were deleted.
• Dr. Seward is now Lucy's father instead of her admirer. He heads an institution for the insane outside London.
• Harker's first name was shortened by Jonathan to John, and in his place Renfield travels to Transylvania, but what one learns only from the history of the act, because the Count is already living at the beginning of the play in London.
• A new character, Lucy's maid, has been introduced.
• Harker and Lucy are not married.
• Dracula hides in a vaulted cellar under Dr. Seward's estate rather than in the neighboring house Carfax Abbey.
• The Count is Harker, instead of Morris, impaled after Van Helsing Renfield has brought a trick to reveal the hiding place of Dracula's coffin.
• Renfield, in contrast to the novel, survived.