Reflecting on Dracula (who is generally 'non-reflective')

 

One of the highlights of 2022 for me was plunging back into the world of community theatre!  Here in Victoria, we have a local society called LOST (Lawyers on Stage Theatre).  It puts on a production (most years), with the proceeds going to different local charities.

Several years back, Duncan and I went to see them do a version of Treasure Island (my friends Gillian Calder and Sara Ramshaw were both actors in it!).  It was so much fun.  And then COVID hit.   The next year, they adapted and staged a 'radio play' version of Frankenstein. This meant the actors could stand apart from each other at different mikes, working off the script.   Again, we went to watch Gillian and Sara.  It was amazing to listen and watch. They also had a "foley crew" on stage.

Basically, the foley are the people who do the sound effects for radio or film.  For example, they would use coconuts to make the sound of horses (images of Monty Python's Holy Grail!), and had a huge metal sheet hung from the roof, which, when shook would sound like rolling thunder.   

This year, LOST announced that they were going to do another radio play, this time a version of Dracula!   I was hooked.   I mean, come on!  Dracula?!  As I young kid, I made my dad sit up with me to watch the Friday night horror movie every week.  I am sure I watched every vampire movie that came along.  And haven't I spent the last 30 or so years listening to jokes about blood-sucking lawyers?!  I decided to audition (comforted in the knowledge that if I got a part, I would be able to work off the script, rather than having to memorize lines).  And.... success!   I got a part! (well... given the relatively small number of people who tried out, we all got parts lol!)  

The gender numbers being what they were, I was cast in the role of a non-binary Van Helsing!  Here is my photo/bio from the program (using a photo taken by Arta):

The version we worked with is the 1938 radio play version put together by Orson Welles, which is in public domain, thus no fee to use it (practicalities!) If you want to listen to the original, you can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLqrBzQBG8k.

The gender flipping in the role was not so worrisome to me. After all, there was also a non-binay Dracula (played by my wonderful colleague Sara Ramshaw). My worries were rather about my ability to create a convincing Dutch accent for the character.  My first attempts were described by my friends as sounding like a Nazi character in a Bollywood film.  ouch.  Well.... always room for upwards improvement.   I finally threw myself on the generous spirit of my friend Petra Van Kampen for some real coaching!  After significant work on the accent (and threats by Gillian that she would no longer hang out with me if I didn't stop practicing my Dutch voice in our shared conversations about law), I finally ended up with something passable!   Success!

Our version of the play had some fabulous additions to the script, including an introductory interview with vampire-ologist Peter Golz (who has been teaching a course on vampires at UVic for the past 25 years), and hysterical musical ads celebrating local sponsors.   So much fun!  Here is one write up of the show: https://www.vancouverislandfreedaily.com/entertainment/greater-victoria-law-community-stage-dracula-for-charity/

It was a riot to work with such a fabulous group of people.  Karrie Wolfe did inspired lighting design for it.  Here are some photos of us on stage (program follows)!

Foley crew, Nurse Ratschid, Renfield, and Dr Seward

 

Dracula and Jonathan Harker (and the foley crew)

Jonathan Harker and the Vampire Brides

Dr Seward and Lucy Westenra

Dr Seward and Dr Van Helsing

Lucy Westenra and Dr Van Helsing (just before Lucy gets 'staked'!)

 

Near the end of the play, chasing after Dracula

Ruari on the telegraph

Phil the foley master

Irene doing the train whistle

Horses about to start galloping

Dracula, Spectacula!

The fabulous "Mellow Dees", mid commercial break with Andrew Pirie

Alex "the Knife" Fyfe on the keyboards

And finally, the program!

Like I said.... a perfect way to end off 2022!  Feeling grateful to all the folks who came to see us strut our vocal chords across the stage, putting their money to two great charities!

Backyard Bird Entertainment

Stopping in for a snack

We have had the hummingbird feeder up on the deck for some time now, just by the door, so there is the constant pleasure of watching them come and go during the day.   

Steve put up another suet feeder for the other birds, but it was under the deck, so you could only see if you were sitting at the desk downstairs, facing under the deck.   

"would you like a table upstairs or downstairs?"

A great view, but only if you happened to be sitting there.   He finally rigged a pole to hang off the edge of the upstairs deck, so birds could come by for a visit without risking a collision with the glassed railings on the deck. 

 

wings out and in motion, trying to land!

It has been a riot watching them come and go.   The feeder itself spins like a merry-go-round, so we get to watch some very impressive bird aerobatics as they hop on.  

Here are some videos if you want to imagine yourself sitting in the kitchen area with us, watching the backyard.

First, a short clip at the fastfood drive though, on a day where there is some 'turn-taking' (in both its senses!) https://youtu.be/gERFh-eD8rg

With the littler birds, they don't always take turns.  Sometimes they come in a mad rush.  I particularly love it when they come in a clump.  

It astonishes me how many birds can load in during the noon hour lunch crunch! (reminds me a bit of going to rock concerts back in the 70s, 80s, and rushing the door to get as close as possible to the stage).  Here is a video link of them in action: https://youtu.be/u5QacWlUij0

I love the spots, and yellow tailfeathers

Lately we have been getting some birds that are bit on the bigger side.  

I do not know who they are (yes, i do need to get a birding book, or spend more time with Wingspan!), but they are so determined! 

The fact their body mass sends the feeder spinning appears no disincentive.  Clinging from the bottom appears to be no difficulty (though the wings are getting a workout.   

They, like the littler birds, also seem to like to spend lunch time with eachother (well... i am not sure if this video is evidence that they 'like' being together, or just that the ones who would prefer some alone-time are simply required to tolerate the crowd) https://youtu.be/5uKhFOIVd6I