Count Dykula, Soho Theatre Review
Eleanor Colville in Count Dykula. Photo by Cam Harle
Written by Danai for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Count Dykula at Soho Theatre is clearly not about the famously known Count Dracula. The protagonist of this show is a butch lesbian vampire who is accustomed to her enjoyable and lonely journey in life, yet something is missing—especially as the world evolves, and kids are not as easily scared as they once were. Soon, the Count finds herself at Scare University, where the principal demonstrates not only her impressive bosom but also all the possible ways for monsters to be "normal" and better adapt to human societies. This leads Count Dykula to question the motives behind this, eventually finding allies who also believe that monsters should embrace their nature and love who they are without having to change.
It's hard not to be impressed by the talent and energy of Rosanna Suppa, who plays Count Dykula. Suppa is a perfect fit for this role and an absolute delight to watch on stage, whether singing or moving and brings on stage a performance that keeps the audience engaged throughout the journey. The rest of the cast is also a blast to watch, with Eleanor Colville and Robbie Taylor Hunt bringing boundless energy, fun, and unstoppable talent as they switch between various roles. This is one of the highlights of the production. The fact that all three actors embody different roles adds an element of fun, chaos, and intimacy, making the experience even more engaging.
The three performers are also the creators of the show, and they've crafted a world where laughter and creativity flourish. They've certainly created a show that is easy and fun to watch, with standout moments—one of which was the final fight between Count Dykula and the principal, and of course, the two-headed costume scene. That moment was the most interactive, and Suppa and Hunt really gave the audience a good laugh. Meg Narongchai, the musician on stage was a nice touch and the ways the team found to creatively incorporate her presence on stage was fun and helped in noticing highlighting Narongchai 's work even more.
However, I do feel there is room for better story development, and some of the jokes could have been more tightly structured. Although all the elements for an unforgettable show were there, the laughs could spread even more inside the room and the audience could feel even more engaged.
What this show does really well is follow a pantomime-like aesthetic while giving it a valuable twist. The jokes and world created here are not phallic-centered, as is often the case in the genre, opening up more inclusive possibilities for both creatives and audiences. Upon reflection, all the jokes are done from a fresh perspective compared to most pantos and although this might go unnoticed in a comedy show, it truly carries weight.
Count Dykula is undoubtedly a refreshing show with a level of inclusiveness that feels both genuine and important—especially in a genre where such things can be easily overlooked. It has great potential to be even funnier and stand out even more, thanks to the super talented creatives who have poured their energy and ideas into it.
At Soho Theatre until 1 March 2025
★★★
