Dracula
The Goth Festival at Whitby 2012 sees many taking a trip to the seaside town to celebrate its gothic routes. This year, however, the ruins of the iconic Whitby Abbey will play host to reenactments of scenes from the original novel by Bram Stoker.
The stories will be told by four actors in various places around the abbey ruins, for a 40 minute attraction for the visitors. Do not be apprehensive if you are bringing children as the performances have been toned down to make them suitable for children ages 8 and above.
“Given the moody skies we’ve seen over recent weeks, it seems that the British summer is actually going to enhance the atmospheric retelling of this gothic classic,” comments property manager, Sarah Bedlington. “Whilst glorious sunshine is always welcome – not least because it would keep vampires at bay! – even dark skies will add to the ambience of these promenade performances, although there are plenty of more sheltered areas around the site if the weather proves particularly inclement!”
2012 is particularly important for Whitby as it marks the centenary of the death of the beloved novelist Bram Stoker. He once said that his visit to Whitby sparked his imagination to write Dracula. He was particularly impressed by the cliff top ruins which would later be integral to this novel, which in the moonlight provide the perfect backdrop for any tale of horror for writers!
The novel Dracula, has encouraged a huge following, having been made into a film starring Bela Lugosi in its infancy and more recently Keanu Reeves, Winona Rider and Anthony Hopkins. It formed the basis of the Hammer Horror series providing us with spins offs and spoofs to frighten and entertain us. Despite being written years ago it still captures the interest of future generations and continues to be given reinventions to encourage the legend to live on.
Whitby is holding a myths and legends season in which the younger visitors can become involved in practical activities that originate from British legends, such as Robin Hood and St. George which will be hosted by the English Heritage’s Time Traveller Crew.
Performances of Dracula take place at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm every Saturday and Sunday throughout the school summer holidays. The Time Traveller activities take place daily from 11.00am to 5.00pm, with the site itself open from 10.00am to 6.00pm. Admission is £6.20 for adults, £5.60 for concessions and £3.70 for children, or £16.10 for a family ticket (two adults and up to three children), and English Heritage members get in free. A £1.00 additional fee will be charged per child (member and non-member) to cover Time Traveller activities.
The story of Dracula will be picked up once again in the autumn, when English Heritage will host Dracula at Night, dusk and twilight performances of the story to extend any Halloween festivities!
For more information, please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/whitby or contact Whitby Abbey on 01947 603568.