Nosferatu
Book, Music and Lyrics by Bernard J. Taylor
Principals : 4m, 2f;
Support : 5m, 8f, 5m/f (plus Chorus)
A sung-through rock opera inspired by the classic black and white silent movie of the same name - the first movie ever made of the Dracula story. The musical is dark, brooding, passionate, eerie and fascinating, yet contains some inspired dialogue and lyrics. While following the general storyline and feel of that movie, the vampire in this adaptation is a much more tragic figure than the creature generally portrayed in the countless Dracula films and other cinematic portrayals of vampires that followed.

Synopsis

A sung-through rock opera inspired by the classic black and white silent film of the same name - the first movie ever made of the Dracula story.

While following the general storyline and feel of the first ever Dracula movie, the vampire in this adaptation is a much more tragic figure than the creature generally portrayed in the countless Dracula films and other cinematic portrayals of vampires that followed. Bernard J Taylor has taken two basic elements - the tragic and the redemptive - and embroidered on them considerably, taking the story as far as possible from the Dracula that most people have come to know, deliberately avoiding any reference to 'Dracula'. The creature is referred to only by the name 'Nosferatu', an old Romanian word meaning 'undead'.

The most significant difference between this version and others of this tale is that the vampire dies because, like Galahad discovering the Holy Grail in the Arthurian legend, he wants to die at this point, for life no longer holds anything more for him. In effect he is redeemed by the purity of Mina, who is willing to sacrifice herself for the sake of others.

Nosferatu has here been given the background of a man who began his adult life as a scientist and philosopher, the product of a noble household, who became cynical and disillusioned when he failed to find any meaning to his life.

Cast Requirements

Principals (2m, 2f)
Nosferatu - a man with bat-like ears and long tapering fingers with extended fingernails

Jonathan Harker - young, handsome, idealistic

Mina - young, sweet and innocent, but strong-willed underneath

Renfeld - middle-aged, paunchy

Van Helsing - intellectual

Lucy - Mina's friend

Supporting Roles (3m, 1f, 2jnr-m, 1jnr-f, plus chorus)
Innkeeper - fat and jovial

Sirens x3

Prioress, Sister of Mercy - small solo with Jonathan

Inn Guest - baritone, one song with chorus

Gossips x 5 - (m/f), one group song together ('Ship of the Dead')

Woman #1 and Men #1 & #2 - small solos in 'Pestilence'

Women #2, 3 & 4 and Men #3 & #4 - one song with chorus ('Waiting for the Light')

Chorus - Chorus of townsfolk, people at inn.

Songs
ACT ONE
1) Overture & Prologue - Orchestra
2) Wild Talk Of Vampires - Van Helsing
3) Somewhere At The Edges Of Creation - Nosferatu
4) Unspoken Thoughts - Jonathan & Mina
5) Mixed Feelings - Mina, Jonathan &Lucy
6) Opportunity - Renfeld & Jonathan
7) Disturbed - Mina & Jonathan
8) Night - Nosferatu
9) Wherever You Are - Mina & Jonathan
10) And Sheep Shall Not Safely Graze - Renfeld
11) The Miller's Song - Inn Guests & Chorus
12) Don't Go! - Jonathan, Innkeeper & Chorus
13) Nosferatu's Welcome - Nosferatu & Jonathan
14) So Young - Nosferatu & Jonathan
15) I Cannot Sleep - Mina & Lucy
16) Temptation - Sirens, Mina & Jonathan
17) Blasphemy - Lucy, Mina & Chorus
18) Nature's Symmetry - Renfeld
19) Excuse Me While I Disappear - Van Helsing & Nosferatu

ACT TWO
20) A Lot To Fear - Van Helsing
21) Ship Of The Dead - Gossips x 5
22) Seduction - Nosferatu & Mina
23) What Is Happening To Me? - Nosferatu
24) Am I Awake? - Mina
25) Pestilence - Woman #1, Men #1 & #2, Van Helsing & Chorus
26) Contempt-Renfeld & Nosferatu
27) Sacrifice - Van Helsing & Mina
28) If I Do It ... - Mina
29) Refuge - Jonathan & Prioress
30) Come To Me - Nosferatu
31) Poor Wretched Man - Mina & Nosferatu
32) Worms Feed On My Brains - Renfeld
33) Waiting For The Light - Women #2, #3 & #4, Men #3 & #4
34) The Point Of Singularity - Nosferatu
35) The Girl I Left Behind - Mina & Jonathan
36) Reconciliation - Mina & Jonathan
37) The Coming of The Light (Finale) - Mina, Jonathan & Chorus

Production Materials

Perusal Materials on Request
Request any or all of the materials below to help get a feel for the show and if it’s right for you and your group;
Libretto
Piano-vocal Score
Sampler tracks
To request perusal materials contact us.

Rehearsal Materials
The following items are available for purchase when a performance license has been granted;
Digital Master Rehearsal Set (libretto and piano vocal score as PDF for unlimited printing and use by your group, you also get to keep the materials for future productions)
Backing Tracks (for private rehearsal or in performance in lieu of a live band)
Orchestrations (Available as a digital purchase to print for unconfirmed band)
TBC

Production Information
This show is available under a variable royalties license by amateur companies at a rate of 20% of box office gross or £100 per performance whichever is the greater. For first and second class productions please contact us.