The Edinburgh Makars will present

Dracula by Liz Lochhead

at the Royal Scots Club in the 2025 Festival Fringe


Auditions

These will take place at the Edinburgh Makars Clubrooms, 13 Brunswick Street Lane on Saturday 12 April from 1pm to 4pm and on Sunday 13th April  from 11 am to 1 pm.

If you would like to book an audition slot, please contact  to arrange your preferred date and time. Auditionees are asked to come along with a short monologue that they would like to perform and will also be asked to read excerpts from the script which will be provided on the day. Details of the roles available are given below.

Dracula will be performed at the Royal Scots Club each evening from 18 to 23 August.

Shadow. Blood. Teeth. Vampyre. Dracula.

Written for the Royal Lyceum by esteemed playwright Liz Lochhead, Dracula is a reimagining of Bram Stoker's classic with all the presence of that gothic horror literary giant. This version of Dracula casts Mina and Lucy as sisters and, with some of the familiar faces known to us, are besieged by the old world malevolent vampire Count Dracula who works his considerable insidious influence like a shadow arching over the whole production. This captures the eerie, unsettling nature of our fear of what lurks in the shadows and goes bump in the night, a fear that still resonates today. This is a story of the natural against the supernatural and the ultimate triumph of goodness over wickedness.

Due to the nature of this play, there are certain points to note. There are some sensual/sexualised scenes (not excessive), degradation, partial nudity (emphasis on partial, underwear stays on!) and the standard themes you would expect in gothic horror.

Dracula was written for Edinburgh and now, it is coming back home to Edinburgh. This is a production open to individuals across a range of ages and experience and there will be feedback provided after audition decision has been communicated.

This is your opportunity to be part of one of the greatest stories ever written. 

Roles

Mina (20s) - Mina is a sugar millionairess and sister of Lucy. Mina is highly spirited in her own way and tends to follow the rules far more strictly than her sister. She is the very image of a Victorian lady and is utterly dedicated to her husband. 

Lucy (20s) - Lucy is sister of Mina and is prone to flights of fancy. Lucy is vivacious and a lover of life and all that it offers however she does experience moments of what could be termed existential dread. The actress portraying Lucy will also be portraying vampire bride 3 in the script.

There will be a requirement to perform certain lines in a highly sensual manner. If this is something you are uncomfortable with, this role is probably not the best one for you.

Jonathan (20s-30s) - Jonathan Harker is a young lawyer and fiance (later husband) to Mina who has been tasked with handling the Carfax sale for Dracula. Jonathan is keenly perceptive and an intelligent man who has to confront things that challenge his reason and shake him to his foundations. Old friends with Seward.

Seward (30s-40s) - A sceptical, rationalist psychiatrist running the mental asylum where, among others, resides Renfield. Seward in this production is an amalgamation of Dr Seward and Arthur Holmwood from the original Dracula novel and is Lucy's fiance. Seward is dedicated to his work and is very much a practical man who will do what is needed, when it is needed. Similar to Jonathan, he has to confront things that challenge his reason.

Dracula (age unspecified) - Dracula is dark and sinister at moments but almost playful and fondly indulgent when it suits his purposes. We are looking for someone who can portray sinister and unsettling within small gestures and facial expressions. Dracula is from a dying world, a symbol of the aristocracy that is falling to the power of more modern reason. We are not looking for exaggerated caricatures.

Van Helsing (40+) - An esteemed professional in his field with knowledge of the occult and the one who identifies correctly what is happening. Van Helsing acts as a form of strength for those fighting against the darkness of Dracula. We are looking for someone who can play the character as a wise, mentor type figure.

Renfield (age unspecified) -  Renfield is a patient in Bedlam and is, at times, an instrument of Dracula. Renfield is a smart individual seemingly lost to madness. This role requires physical movement convincingly that of an individual living between worlds as such. Renfield's lines are quite complex at times and he does sing at moments. You don't have to be a singer by trade as such to apply for this role. Renfield is debased by both the staff at Bedlam and by Dracula himself, appearing chained and constrained at times. This is something to bear in mind before you audition for the role. This role may require one to wear shorts instead of trousers at relevant moments.

Florrie (age unspecified) - Florrie is the main exterior confidante and support to Mina and Lucy during the course of the play. Florrie is a maid who is quite sharp and takes her role seriously although she is willing to engage in light heartedness at times. The actress portraying Florrie will also portray vampire bride 2. There will be a requirement to perform certain lines in a highly sensual manner. If this is something you are uncomfortable with, this role is probably not the best one for you.

Mrs Manners (40+) - Housekeeper for the Westerman's. Mrs Manners is stern and authoritative in her approach. This is a small role with limited lines. 

The actress portraying Mrs Manners will also portray vampire bride 1. There will be a requirement to perform certain lines in a highly sensual manner. If this is something you are uncomfortable with, this role is probably not the best one for you.

Drinkwater (age unspecified) - An orderly working at Bedlam. Drinkwater is fine to do his work but he draws the line at moments when it comes to physically attacking and abusing Renfield, something that cannot be said about some of the other hospital staff. This is a non-speaking role.

Grice (30+) - Grice is a nurse at Bedlam and is a noted sadist, taking great delight in treating Renfield cruelly, to the point that she becomes exceptionally critical of others who do not follow suit.

Nisbett (30+) - Nisbett is a nurse at Bedlam and is noted as masochist. Nisbett is more sympathetic towards Renfield and acts as a counter to a degree to Grice's cruelty.

In script it is noted that these two characters are played by the same individual, so think something along the lines of Jekyll and Hyde with two extreme's of personality expressed in one individual.

Doctor Goldman (age unspecified) - A psychiatrist appearing in Bedlam, a seemingly eager student of Renfield's case. This is a non-speaking role.


Director: Bee Parkinson - Cameron

 
If you are cast in the play, and you are not already a member of The Edinburgh Makars, you will need to join. Membership fee £28.