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It's been said that Dracula's auditorium is as much an art form as it is a theatre, The wall-to-wall sculpture and horror collectables create an eccentric atmosphere, not unlike the Aadams Family mansion. While some of these nefarious creations have been purchased in various auction rooms, in particular the Hollywood collectables, you may be suprised to know that almost all the props that festoon the blue stone walls are in actual fact created in our own garret-style workshop. An entire floor of our Melbourne operation has been devoted to house haunting. Dracula's workshop constantly churns out not only horror-themed decor , but the various props, puppets, sets and animated special effects that are required for the shows.
Despite the technology that is utilised in creating the animated puppets and displays, theatrical prop-making skills are still brought into play when it comes to the on-stage application. This is where John Newman's eccentric use of coat hangers, plastic buckets and bamboo can make some deceivingly simple yet practicle stageprops.
You may be horrified by the menagerie of dead animals that decorate Dracula's cocktail bar, and you should be. After all it is the house of horrors. Amoungst the ghastly furry critters are some truly rare and bizarre collections. Take the giant Boar that has a goat's beard, lion's teeth and buffalo horns - a taxidermist's Frankenstein. While our collection includes some deadly specimens such as the giant strangling python, a fifteen-centimeter tarantula, crocodiles, scorpions and shark jaws, our prize display would have to be the very rare Transylvanian (European) vampire bat. |
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Costume Department - Costume Designer - Jayne Newman
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Dracula's costumes are conceived during pre-production meetings up to four months prior to the show opening. Jayne Newman, who designs the costumes, starts with rough sketches which then follow the meticulous process of coordinating couturiers, attatching latex spikes and hidden mic transmitters, pockets, dressing wigs and generally seeing the draft sketch through to the dazzling finished product. With a background in hair styling. Jayne has turned her passion for fasion into a profession, combining gothic style with contemporary trends - then of course theres the weird stuff. |
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