Where the Solitary Eagle Flies

The Dundee Whitehall Theatre has done well to programme interesting events in its autumn season. Following from the success of their production of Pirate of Pendance, the theatre welcomes multi award winning Sell a Door Theatre Company to the stage to present their version of Stoker's infamous tale.

The play gets off to a triumphant start, with Daisy Burns and Laura Blackmore painting the perfect picture of English paradise, marred by the necessary young lady issues such as marriage and wealth.

But the tale darkens as fiance Jonathan Harker visits the nobleman Count Dracula for a routine visit regarding a properly. Soon he realised he is no longer a visitor, instead a prisoner to the count.

David Hutchinson's production succeed in being utterly captivating throughout. Even if some scene changes are a little slow, the tension manages to carry the periods of darkness, and the epic story and its quite perfect music suits to fill in any gaps in the action.

The cast work effortlessly as an ensemble to speed along the slightly wordy script, and use all the resources given to paint the differing landscapes of England, Romania and eventually the assylum in London.

Louise Ann Munro stands in the second act, as her characters all merge into one, whilst Alex Pritchett delivers a wonderfully youthful and strong performance as Van Helsing. A mention too for English roses Daisy Burns and Laura Blackmore who both look and suit their parts, and craft fascinating transitions from prim and proper, to sexually awakened under Dracula's mighty spell.

Adrian Gee makes a fantastic choice to decorate the stage as simply as possible, allowing for the poetic and visual language of Lochhead's translation to power through.

This production shows both the strength of the Sell a Door team to deliver high quality theatre, and the good programming choices of the Whitehall Theatre in Dundee

The Unity Theatre has a fantastic season this summer, starting with Sell a Door Theatre Company's new play Where the Solitary Eagle Flies. Set between Afghanistan and England, it develops from a tale of romance into a desperate fight to defeat the memories and love that bonded Jake (Jack Cosgrove) and Rachel (Jess Spalis)

With a fantastic script, and a well constructed set, the play took off in style, with fine performances from all players, with some fantastic pieces of chorography and stage combat too. With twist and turns constantly keeping us guessing, the audience were hooked for both acts.

Fine performances, a great evening at the theatre. Sell a Door Theatre Company have a remarkable amount to be proud of.