The show stars Eleanor Colville and Rosanna Suppa
BY CAROLINA MENDONCA, IMAGES BY CAM HARLE
Count Dykula is an original and refreshing take on an otherwise overdone narrative. The play follows the butch loner, Count Dykula, as she attempts to defy the villainous (and busty) principal of Scare University, Scarlet Fang. To me, it was almost a politicized – and even gayer – Monster High.
The actors do an amazing job of multi-roling throughout the play. Eleanor Colville takes on the role of the endearing but logical WerePug alongside the authoritative and seductive Scarlet Fang. These two characters don’t have much in common, other than their obsessions with their intimate parts. Rosanna Suppa, who mostly plays Dykula, does an excellent job of capturing that classic “no-one-understands-me” outlook on life. Robbie Taylor Hunt adopts a myriad of roles, such as that one annoying fresher’s rep that’s always in your inbox during first year, but his portrayal of the ambitious and misunderstood Zombie/Ghost duo is what stood out the most. Additionally, this cast deserves a round of applause for the impressive speed at which they were able to switch costumes.
Having no preconceived knowledge of what the play was about, I was surprised to find out it was a comedic musical. But don’t fret, that was the cherry on top of the cake. I mean, how could one not enjoy the “I am not a dyke” version of Evanescence’s emo fave Bring Me To Life?
While the plot may seem like it will just follow your usual outcasts-bonding-together trope in order to overcome evil, Count Dykula exceptionally repurposes this narrative by politicizing it through a satirical light. The show does an incredible job of criticising contemporary politics whilst still allowing you to laugh until your belly hurts. And also, let’s be real, queer narratives should inhabit these tropes more often.
All in all, Count Dykula is a beautiful take on what self-acceptance means. Embellished with timely and relevant humour, I cannot recommend this enough.
Count Dykula is at Soho Theatre until Saturday 1 March: sohotheatre.com/events/count-dykula/
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