A woman with long dark hair, wearing a soaked pink dress, is on stage in front of a purple brick wall, expressing intense emotion, possibly anger or frustration, with her mouth open and her hand outstretched.

Der Vampyr

Arcola Theatre (Grimeborn) - August 2024

Bloodily Ever After!

The opera was composed by Heinrich Marschner in 1828, and its plot has its origins in the short story The Vampyre, written by John William Polidori, putting it right at the heart of the gothic genre.

This is a hilarious and gory feminist retelling of this bloody tale, touching on themes of consent, agency and toxic masculinity.

A woman with long dark hair, wearing a wet, white spaghetti-strap dress, appears to be in a distressed or angry state, standing in front of a purple and pink brick wall under stage lighting.
Two women in velvet cloaks having a serious conversation in a dimly lit room with brick wall background, with two women standing in the background.
A man with long hair wearing sunglasses and a red velvet cape, standing in focus with three people in vintage clothing in a dimly lit setting in the background.
Image shows a man and a woman smiling and touching foreheads, in a dimly lit room with purple and red lights, a brick wall in the background, and a wooden table with a red cloth.
A woman performing a dance or pose on stage with a brick wall background, dressed in a red satin skirt, with her arm extended upwards and head tilted back.
A woman dressed in a schoolgirl uniform with a plaid skirt, tied in a knot at the waist, appears distressed on stage. She has pigtails, a white blouse, and a red and black plaid tie. She is on her knees with her hands on her head, shouting or crying.
A young woman with purple hair in pigtails, wearing a white shirt, red tartan tie, and a tartan skirt, sitting on a stuffed bear in a theatrical performance.
Two actors performing in a theatrical play on stage with a brick wall background. The woman has long dark curly hair, wears a white dress, and a red plaid shawl. The man has shoulder-length blonde hair, wears a white shirt with a pink ribbon, black s
A man with long hair and a beard, wearing a red and black satin shirt and a dark jacket, is sitting on a stage with a brick wall background. He appears to be performing, with an expressive face and open hands.
A man with long hair, wearing a jacket, sitting on a giant plush teddy bear, on a stage with purple lighting and a brick wall background.
A man kneeling beside a woman lying on a pink padded surface, with musical instrument strings visible, in a dimly lit room with red lighting.
Three performers in historical costumes on stage, laughing and interacting with a large teddy bear prop, with a saxophone player in the background, set against a brick wall with purple lighting.
Dimly lit stage with a person standing on a balcony and a large teddy bear sitting in the foreground. The background features a brick wall and stage lighting creating a dramatic atmosphere.
A theatrical scene with a woman in a pink dress holding a cross, sitting on a bench beside a large teddy bear, with a man in a dark jacket wearing a gun. The setting has a brick wall background and dramatic lighting.
A man with long hair and a beard dressed in a white t-shirt and blue jacket, with arms outstretched, singing or speaking passionately on stage, with a large teddy bear and a woman in a white dress in the background.

Cast:
Ruthwen - Giuseppe Pellingra
Malwina - Milena Knaus
Aubrey - Jack Roberts
Emmy - Amber Reeves
Davenaut - Conall O’Neill
Janthe - Madeleine Todd
Georg - Matthew Scott Clark
Vampire Master - Gráinne Gillis

Creative Team:
Director - Julia Mintzer
Conductor & Arranger - Kelly Lovelady
Designer - Charles Ogilvie
Lighting Design - Will Alder
Associate Director & Fight Choreographer - Jonny Danciger
Producer - Helene Mathiesen
Stage Manager - Vendy Pospisilova

Orchestra
Piano/Harmonium - Jasmin Allpress
Cello - Niki Moosavi
Double Bass - Adam Storey
Sousaphone - Iain McDonald

Photos: Craig Fuller

See also…