Dracula
Critique of the highschool play
Written By: Zehra Nasirali
For: Mr. Cameron
Course: ENG-1WN-06
Date: 3rd December, 1996
Score: 78.5%
The Galt Collegiate performance of
Dracula was outstanding due to the acting costumes and props and set-design and
lighting.
The play Dracula excelled more in
the acting than in the other areas. The
part played by the Count Dracula was very limited but indeed high in quality
and perfection. His calm but cunning
nature and the thrust in his voice added to his acting; especially the parts
where he bewitches the ladies (Mina and Lucy), and drinks the blood out of
their necks. Also the acting of
Jonathan Harker and the two doctors indeed possessed within themselves
solemnity, dignity and realistic expressions; the part where they have a
conversation on the hindrance of Dracula in Act II. The typical but humble ladies that were always filled with
excitement and joy, often met at their favorite bench. These were th4e parts played by Mina and
Lucy – the best friends wince childhood.
Therefore, I feel that the acting of the main characters mentioned
above, certainly excelled.
The costumes and props also played
and major role in Dracula. It gave us a
feel of the background. The characters
were all dressed in an orthodox Eastern Europe manner. The gentlemen’s brown in color, old
patterned suits, the standard, pastel dresses with matching hats and bonnets
worn by the ladies along with their floral umbrellas and matching hand bags. Also the brides white, flared dresses gave
an important, eerie feeling that blended well with their messed-up, ‘just
woke-up’ hairstyle. The ragged and
taunted torment worn by the insect collector determined his pathetic nature and
attitude. Furthermore, the garlic and
cross necklaces that were used to withstand the Count who wore his cape that in
return illustrated his devious personality.
As a result, the costumes and props played a major role in Dracula.
The things that mad e great
difference in the play and had a great effect upon me were the set-design and
lighting. The set served a two-in-one
purpose of being underground as well as above ground. The positioning of the stairs, the head chair on one side and the
bench on the other, balanced out the set.
It also coordinated well with the time period. The crevices and spooky branches gave a finishing touch. In addition, the lighting was very punctual
and made a great difference. It
emphasized on some particular scenes and without it, the result would have been
poor. Moreover, the set-design and
lighting had a great effect on the play.
In conclusion, the Galt Collegiate
performance of Dracula was outstanding due to the acting, costumes, props,
set-design and lighting.