Stephen Ashfield as solicitor Harker in Dracapella [Craig Sugden]

DRACAPPELA
Park 200 Theatre
4.5 stars

DON’T miss this off-the-wall comedy-musical retelling of Bram Stoker’s Dracula packed with a capella hits, quick-fire banter and joyful silliness.

Co-written by Whose Line Is It Anyway’s Dan Patterson and Park Theatre head honcho Jez Bond (who also directs), Dracapella is gloriously funny, playing on the audience’s nostalgia for cheesy (mainly 1980s) anthems including Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger, Bonnie Tyler’s Holding Out for a Hero and Cyndi Lauper’s True Colours.

Eager for promotion and a pay rise, solicitor Harker (Stephen Ashfield) travels to Transylvania to seal the deal on a crumbling estate with the enigmatic Count Dracula (Ako Mitchell).

Meanwhile, Mina (Lorna Want), his pregnant wife, escapes to Whitby to visit her wealthy best friend Lucy (Keala Settle). But Harker hasn’t reckoned with Dracula seeing a portrait of his wife, who bears a striking resemblance to his own long-lost love. What follows is a madcap chase back to Whitby.

Human beatboxer champion Alexander Belgarion Hackett delivers extraordinary sound effects and beats in a five-star turn, while Settle and Want’s vocals shine within an already vibrant company.

MD Ian Oakley’s brilliant arrangements, Niamh Gaffney’s audio design and Rob Atkinson’s deft live mixing are all crucial to the show’s success.

Monique Ashe-Palmer, Philip Pope and comedian Ciaran Dowd complete the excellent cast in various roles.

The puns come thick and fast and the ensemble draws out the slapstick and farce with great panache, frequently breaking the fourth wall and forging a strong rapport with the audience.

Bond’s production is deliberately rough around the edges, with a first half that grows a touch repetitive and could be leaner, yet it ultimately proves a spirited and playful festive treat.

Until January 17
parktheatre.co.uk