Dracula, reborn for the people of Perth

By Scott Dennis – Marketing Coordinator, West Australian Ballet

One of the most retold stories of all time, Bram Stoker’s 1897 classic novel of Dracula is about to debut in a new form, as a neo-classical ballet for Australia’s oldest ballet company, West Australian Ballet.

Artistic Director of West Australian Ballet, Aurélien Scannella, describes the role of Dracula as ‘special’ to him remembering when he danced the Principal role during his dance career in Europe. When tasked with expanding West Australian Ballet’s repertoire, Dracula was at the top of the wish list with only getting the right talent standing in his way for this highly anticipated World Premiere.

The first call Scannella made was to one of the most prolific Choreographers in Europe, Krzysztof Pastor. Scannella described the call as simple.

Photo credit: West Australian Ballet

“I said, we’re doing a new Dracula and we need a choreographer,” states Scannella. “Without any questions, he just said yes.”

Pastor has created over 50 ballet works and held the prestigious position of Resident Choreographer at the Dutch National Ballet from 2003 to 2017. Throughout his career as a Dancer, Choreographer and Artistic Director, Pastor has been awarded an Officer’s Cross of the Order or Polonia Restituta (Poland), and an Honorary Golden Star of the Ministry or Culture, Lithuania, as well as numerous choreographic prizes worldwide.

Charles Cusick Smith (left) and Phil R. Daniels

Joining Pastor in Perth for this new work are Set and Costume Designers Phil R. Daniels and Charles Cusick Smith whose last work for West Australian Ballet was their sell out season of The Nutcracker in 2016. Both Daniels and Smith are highly awarded individually and as a creative duo, and say that Dracula provides a new challenge for them both.

“When we approached Dracula, we were looking at it from a historical point of view. We looked at lots of different references and what really inspired us was the fact that the tale was set in Victorian times,” says Daniels.

Inspiration is also not difficult to find for one of the most popular classic novels of the 19^th century.

“There is a level of inspiration from ‘Vlad the Impaler’ whom Dracula is originally conceived from. I wanted to design a costume that looks like armour but is also flexible for dance,” Smith conveys.

Photo credit: West Australian Ballet

Recently West Australian Ballet has also collaborated with Black Swan State Theatre Company to share the cost of warehouse and staffing facilities which will be used to create the sets and props for Dracula. Throughout the creative process, Daniels and Smith have worked with the local set makers, mechanists and West Australian Ballet’s in-house Wardrobe and Technical teams to ensure the work is created to the highest standard. Former West Australian Ballet Techinical Director, Jon Buswell will also work closely with Daniels and Smith on Lighting Design.

”The work we’re creating with local teams here in Perth is outstanding. Being able to keep the work local also means that we have full creative control allowing the end-product to be spectacular,” says Daniels.

One of the highlights of the production will also be the dramatic score which features many of the pieces used in the 1992 film Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and will be performed live by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra under the instruction of Canadian Conductor, Judith Yan. The score has been composed by Wojciech Kilar (who also composed the score for the film), and was only adapted slightly to fit with the choreography.

Photo credit: West Australian Ballet

Also an important factor, after the acquisition of Kilar’s score, Pastor, working with Arranger and West Australian Ballet’s Music Coordinator Michael Brett, was able to create the synopsis and plan the choreography close to the storyline of Stoker’s original novel with some variance only in specific scenes, and with little interruption to the integrity of the music.

Through collaboration with both international and local talent, West Australian Ballet are ensuring the product that is taken to the historic stage of His Majesty’s Theatre, is of the highest quality.

Do not miss this World Class production. Dracula will premiere at His Majesty’s Theatre in Perth on 6 Sep.

Click here to purchase your tickets.