Dracula goes radio

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock, the character and story of Dracula is something familiar to you, if only through spoofs, modern movies or cartoons.

But are you familiar with a radio play?

Back in the ages where contemporary media could only be transferred through radio waves, radio plays were a way of telling stories through only voices and sound effects.

How’s that sound? Almost like an audio book? Maybe boring?

Don’t judge too quickly.

Mortal Fools Theatre Project, which has a mission to “produce the great works of world drama and literature,” is taking on the task of presenting the classic tale of the blood-thirsty Count Dracula in this Orson Welles-stylized entertainment medium. UVU’s Assistant Theater Professor Christopher Clark, who previously directed another great and broadly acclaimed vampire story, Nosferatu, is directing the production. Welles originally told this tale of Dracula in 1938, the same year that he stirred fear and panic in the hearts of America with his epic retelling of H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds.

Dracula targets a college-aged audience. While it can also appeal to those 10 and above, it will not be holding back any horrific elements from Bram Stoker’s classic. Mortal Fools will be using a six piece cast of theatre students and professional actors to provide the characters’ voices and sound effects, which also include the accompaniment of a violin and an accordion.

To give the hour-long experience more of a visual aspect, original artwork of the story’s action will be projected on a screen to help tell the gruesome story. The week before Halloween, the scene is set at the Castle in Provo to lend the story an appropriately eerie atmosphere.

Clark, when asked about the appeal of this particular production, said that the intrigue comes from “taking a story that everyone knows and presenting it in a new way no one has seen.”

Dracula promises to be fun, chilling, witty and as unconventional as can be. Bring yourself and a date up to the Castle this Halloween week to experience a classic tale in a brand new way. Seating is limited, only about 100 seats per night, so early purchases are recommended.

Tickets: www.MortalFools.org or at www.Facebook/MortalFools
Price: $9-12, depending on the showing
Dates: Oct. 22-25 at 8 p.m., Oct. 29 at 8 and 10 p.m., Oct. 30 at 10 p.m. and midnight
Where: The Upstairs Theatre at the Castle in Provo