All the World’s a Stage — And Every Role, Erivo’s: ‘Dracula’ Reinvented

By DaMarko Webster

In a dazzling and radical reimagining of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the Tony and Grammy-winning Erivo will take on the staggering task of portraying all twenty-three characters in the gothic classic. Yes, that includes everyone from Jonathan Harker to Lucy Westenra, her smitten suitors, the tenacious Van Helsing, and the infamous Count Dracula themself. This isn’t just a performance — it’s a theatrical metamorphosis.

“Returning to the stage feels like a homecoming, one that I’ve been craving for a long time,” Erivo shared in a recent statement. “To do so with a story as rich, complex, and haunting as Dracula offers a beautiful opportunity to delve into character, into myth, and into the heart of what makes us human.”

Helmed by visionary director Kip Williams, this avant-garde production originated at the Sydney Theatre Company, where it stunned audiences with a haunting solo turn by Zahra Newman. Now, in collaboration with West End producers, that same bold concept makes its way to London, with Erivo as its magnetic epicenter.

Known for her powerhouse performances in The Color Purple and Harriet, Erivo is no stranger to transformative roles. Still, this may be her most daring yet. “It’s a rare gift for an actor to inhabit so many voices and perspectives in one piece,” she continued, “and I’m honoured to do it for West End audiences… This show will ask everything of me — and I’m ready to give it.”

Producer Cassel added: “Cynthia is an artist of extraordinary power and presence… Kip’s bold approach to this iconic story will offer audiences something truly unforgettable.”

Williams’ signature directorial style, which blends live performance with cinematic staging and real-time projection, promises a thrilling sensory experience. His Dracula is less about jump scares and more about psychological excavation — a descent into obsession, identity, and the rituals of fear.

Anne Dunn, Sydney Theatre Company Executive Director and Co-CEO, emphasized the continued collaboration with Williams’ team: “With the incredible Cynthia Erivo at the helm… this spectacular interpretation of Bram Stoker’s gothic classic will be another unmissable theatrical experience for London audiences.”

In an industry that too often plays it safe, this production dares to challenge both actor and audience — merging the mythic with the personal, the theatrical with the psychological. For Erivo, it’s a high-wire act of endurance, empathy, and embodiment.

And for us? It’s the promise of a performance we’ll never forget.