DRACULA will return to Whitby Abbey this weekend for a summer season of dramatic retellings of Bram Stoker’s novel within the gothic backdrop of the abbey ruins.
Each Saturday and Sunday during the school holidays, a troupe of four actors will lead visitors on a 40-minute promenade performance of scenes from the story at various locations around the ruins.
Stoker’s gothic horror story has been distilled into a family-friendly performance, suitable for children aged eight and above, abridged by Simon Kirk.
“Given the moody skies we’ve seen over recent weeks, it seems that the British summer is actually going to enhance the atmospheric retelling of this gothic classic,” says property manager Sarah Bedlington.
“While glorious sunshine is always welcome – not least because it would keep vampires at bay! – even dark skies will add to the ambience of these promenade performances, although there are plenty of more sheltered areas around the site if the weather proves particularly inclement.”
This year marks the centenary of the death of Bram Stoker, who was said to have been inspired to write Dracula after a stay in town, during which time he became fascinated by the clifftop ruins. In his book, the ruins stand visible in the moonlight as a black dog – Dracula in another form – comes ashore in a cove below.
The storytelling forms part of Whitby Abbey’s Myths and Legends season, when young visitors can enjoy activities based around British legends, from the chivalrous St George to the outlaw Robin Hood, led by English Heritage’s Time Traveller Crew inside the Big Top.
Performances of Dracula will take place at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm every Saturday and Sunday in the summer holidays. The Time Traveller activities will run daily from 11am to 5pm; the site is open from 10am to 6pm.
The story of Dracula will be picked up again in the autumn, when English Heritage will host Dracula At Night: dusk and twilight performances to complement Hallowe’en festivities.
For ticket information, visit english-heritage.org.uk/whitby
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here